Singapore has officially ruled out hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, joining a growing list of countries that have stepped away from the opportunity due to financial and logistical concerns. In a joint statement released on April 3, 2024, Commonwealth Games Singapore (CGS) and Sport Singapore (SportSG) announced that they had studied the feasibility of hosting the event and decided not to submit a bid.

The decision comes as the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) continues its search for a new host after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew due to skyrocketing costs. Originally estimated at A$2.6 billion, the budget for the event had soared to A$7 billion (S$6.15 billion), forcing Victoria to pull out in 2023. This left the 2026 Games in limbo, and the CGF invited member nations, including Singapore, to express interest in stepping in.

Despite the CGF’s offer of £100 million (S$170 million) in financial and strategic support for the next host, Singapore has opted not to proceed. Experts previously expressed skepticism about Singapore’s ability to host the event, citing high costs and the tight timeline as significant challenges.

Australia’s Gold Coast, which hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and Perth both abandoned their joint bid for 2026, citing insufficient backing from state and federal governments. Similarly, Malaysia, which had been considered a potential host, also declined due to time constraints and financial concerns.

The Commonwealth Games, held every four years, brings together over 5,000 athletes from 72 nations and territories. The most recent edition in Birmingham in 2022 featured 280 events across 20 sports. Singapore’s athletes performed admirably, winning four gold, four silver, and four bronze medals.

While the future of the 2026 Games remains uncertain, the challenges faced by potential hosts highlight the growing financial strain of organizing such large-scale international sporting events.