Glasgow set to host Commonwealth Games as Scottish Government approve emergency bid

Commonwealth Games Scotland board will meet on Wednesday to sign off on the bid, before then seeking approval to host from the Commonwealth Games Federation. 

Given that no other city has indicated an interest, awarding the games to Glasgow is likely to be a formality.

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Mr Swinney’s decision came after Health Secretary Neil Gray secured more cash at a meeting with representatives from Commonwealth Games Australia.

Neil Gray met Commonwealth Games reps from Australia (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA)

In a written announcement to Parliament, he said no public funding would be required. He also insisted the Scottish Government would not provide any financial underwriting.

He told MSPs: “It is because Glasgow is a world-class event hosting destination with the facilities and expertise required to deliver an event such as the Commonwealth Games that we are able to proceed.

“Glasgow will deliver a world-class sporting event which will reimagine the Commonwealth Games for future generations to come and support more of our Commonwealth partners to be able to host future iterations of the event.

“In return, this proposal will bring economic benefit to businesses in Glasgow and Scotland and support a programme of capital upgrades to a number of existing venues in Glasgow to create an additional legacy for public sports facilities and local communities.”

The next games were due to be held in Victoria, but the state unexpectedly withdrew in July last year after costs hit £3.13bn, far more than the £1.4bn they had expected to spend.

Mr Gray said the Commonwealth Games Federation would cover “the majority of costs” using £100m compensation paid by the Australian state. 

The Commonwealth Games Federation has also provided a further £20m, which includes £5m for Glasgow City Council to “utilise for capital upgrades and a cultural programme”.

The UK Government has agreed to a “ringfenced contingency” fund of up to £2.3m to be used if existing budget funds and contingency “have been exceeded and all efforts to reduce costs have been exhausted”.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Gray made clear that there would be no extra cash if that contingency runs out. 

Effectively, the games would be expected to scale back further.

“Obviously, we don’t want to see that. And the reason that they’re coming forward with this budget, as well as a substantial contingency of £31m is to avoid any need to either see a scaling back or to see any call on government funds.

“We’ve already made clear that there cannot be a call on government funds from Scottish Government’s perspective, because everybody is aware of the financial situation that we’re operating within”.

Mr Gray said an additional “multi million pound investment has also now been accepted to support the Games to take place”.

Asked how he would react to the suggestion this was a “pound shop” games nobody else in the world wanted, he replied “Well, I really hope that that is not the narrative that we see coming forward, and I think we’ve all got agency in that regard to ensure that that isn’t the case, because this is a major a major event, a major international event.

“It has global significance for elite athletes, but also for inspiring future athletes to participate in sport.”

(Image: Newsquest)

The proposals from Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) would see the revamped event host a core programme of 10 sports in Glasgow using four venues and existing accommodation in the city.

They believe it could be delivered for £114m.

It is not yet known which sports will fail to make the cut, although there are reports that the marathon and road cycling are set to get the chop. 

Ian Reid, chair of CGS, said: “Today Glasgow 2026 is one step closer to becoming a reality and we are delighted that both the Scottish and UK governments have backed our proposal.

“We have been clear from the outset that our Games concept for Glasgow 2026 aligns with the CGF’s strategy to make the Games more accessible for future hosts, whilst ensuring that public funds are not required.

“Glasgow is one of the few cities in the Commonwealth that can deliver on time given its world class facilities, experienced workforce and strong supply chain.

“This is a really exciting opportunity and we will be working hard over the coming days to bring the final pieces of the puzzle together.”

Council leader Susan Aitken said: “Glasgow is one of the world’s leading events cities – and a diverse range of organisers and promoters deliver hugely successful arts, sport and other events here that are not only important to the cultural life of the city but also make a really significant contribution to its economy.

“It should be no surprise that, in looking to reimagine competitive sport at a Commonwealth level, organisers feel Glasgow is a place where their plans can flourish.

“Throughout this process, Glasgow has provided technical advice and guidance to the team at Commonwealth Games Scotland – and, although the event being proposed will be smaller in scale and impact than what people will remember from 2014, officials will continue to offer what support they can to make it a success on its own terms.”

Earlier in the day, the former first minister Lord Jack McConnell said bringing the Games back to Glasgow would be good for Scotland. 

The Labour peer, who was instrumental in securing the 2014 games for the city, said the scaled-down version of the event may well have “saved the Commonwealth Games for the foreseeable future”.

Asked on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme whether it would be a “no-brainer” for the games to return to Glasgow, Lord McConnell said: “Oh, absolutely.”

He added: “This is a fantastic effort by the Commonwealth Games council for Scotland, otherwise known as Team Scotland, who have stepped in and not only helped design a scaled-down Games that will, in the short term, (be in place for) these Games, but maybe in the long term, make the Games viable for other cities around the world.

“But they’ve also pushed very hard and managed to persuade the politicians to raise their ambitions a bit and back the idea.

“So I think it’s great, and I’m delighted that finally people have come together.

“This will be good for Scottish sport. It will be good for Scotland and it will be very good for the Commonwealth Games.”

He said bringing the 2014 Games to Glasgow would be good for the city and might help it “spruce itself up a bit and use these amazing facilities again”.