A Games like no other in a place like no other.

The Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from March 17 - 29 and Geelong Bendigo Ballarat Gippsland and Shepparton have been announced as the joint host cities.

The first Commonwealth Games was first held in Canada in 1930 and have since been delivered 23 times including seven times in Australia.

The multi-city model will change the game with five regional centres hosting 20 sports and 9 fully-integrated Para sports (including some sports making their Games debut) ceremonies festivals and live sites will be delivered on the following countries:

• Wadawurrung  l  Geelong
• Dja Dja Wurrung  l  Bendigo 
• Yorta Yorta  l  Shepparton
• Gunaikurnai  l  Gippsland
• Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung  l  Melbourne

On this page you’ll find up-to-date information about Geelong’s involvement in the Commonwealth Games and directions to key sources of news and information from the Victorian Government.  We look forward to welcoming up to 72 countries and territories to Geelong in 2026.

Sports in Geelong

The following sports will be played in the Geelong region during the Games (location in brackets if confirmed):

• Aquatics – swimming para swimming (Armstrong Creek)
• Diving (Armstrong Creek)
• Beach volleyball
• Coastal rowing (Torquay)
• T20 cricket women’s (final at Kardinia Park)
• Golf (Bellarine Peninsula course to be confirmed)
• Gymnastics (Waurn Ponds)
• Hockey (Stead Park Corio)
• Triathlon and para triathlon
• Weightlifting and para powerlifting (Waurn Ponds)

We will update this page with specific venue locations as they are confirmed.

 

Legacy

We believe the Games present an incredible opportunity to promote our region as a world class tourism destination and we cannot wait to show off our region of saltwater surrounds and natural wonder.  A place with a maker’s heart a foodie’s appetite and an explorer’s mind - Visit Geelong and The Bellarine.

There will be a potential global audience of more than one billion and it is forecast that 1 million tickets will be sold across Victoria with 400 000 tickets expected to be sold across our region bringing more than 150 000 visitors. The Games will host up to 4500 athletes. Between 2000-3000 athletes will be housed at the Geelong Village. 

Taking into account the new infrastructure investment and visitor numbers that the Games will attract it is estimated the event will contribute more than $3 billion to Victoria’s economy – creating more than 600 full-time equivalent jobs before the Games 3 900 jobs during the Games and a further 3 000 jobs beyond the Closing Ceremony.  It is also predicted that over $800m will be spent directly in Victoria on the Games over the next four years. There will be over 1000 procurement opportunities across Victoria of all sizes from hospitality security transport and construction. 

With two major competition venues in Waurn Ponds and Armstrong Creek we will also see the upgrade of the Stead Park hockey facilities as a community competition venue as well as the development of an athlete’s village also in Waurn Ponds which will leave a legacy of social and affordable housing.
 

Ceremonies and cultural program

The Games will feature cultural programming including festivals and live sites and we are proud that Geelong has also been announced as the host for the closing ceremony at Kardiniyoo (Kardinia Park) on Sunday 29 March 2026.

Business community organisation enquiries and procurement

If you have an enquiry related to business and community organisation opportunities the Victoria 2026 Organisation Committee has set up a business and community portal for enquires.

The Organising Committee will be using the Buying for Victoria website to advertise tender opportunities.  Companies and businesses need to be registered via the site to have access to tender opportunities and be notified of when they are available.  The procurement timeline will be announced in early 2023.  Forums will be held by ICN for specific industry led sessions.  Keep an eye on the ICN website.

Volunteers

There are plenty of ways to get involved in the Commonwealth Games including volunteering.  Register your interest to receive general news and games updates.

FAQ

View the Victorian Government’s frequently asked questions and answers.

Official website and social media

Visit the Victorian Government’s official Commonwealth Games website and social platforms for further information.