Birmingham won’t host Commonwealth Games again, mayor believes

Birmingham is unlikely to become replacement host of the Commonwealth Games in 2026, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has told the BBC.

The Australian state of Victoria has withdrawn from being the next host of the Games, citing rising costs for the £3.6bn event.

Its move in July prompted calls for Birmingham to stage the Games again after its hosting success in 2022.

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But Birmingham City Council is facing a financial crisis and Mr Street downplayed the prospect of the city stepping in.

“There is still nobody and we are not stepping forward,” Mr Street told BBC Radio WM.

The mayor added he believed Australia would host the Games in some form.

“You cannot have a country that loves its sport, that’s going to be the host of the 2032 Olympic Games failing to honour what they said they would do,” he explained.

However, hopes of the event being held in Australia appeared to be fading on Tuesday after the Gold Coast ruled itself out of hosting the Games.