Malaysia declines offer to host Commonwealth Games 2026

PETALING JAYA: The government has decided not to accept the offer to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in a Cabinet meeting on Friday (March 22), says the Youth and Sports Ministry.

In a statement issued by the ministry's corporate communications unit, the ministry said the decision was made after taking into account all implications of Malaysia hosting the games.

“The delegation from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) met Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and gave an explanation on the offer to host the games. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan also attended the meeting on Feb 5.

“The details of the meeting were presented at the Cabinet meeting on Friday and highlighted that the offer of UK£100mil (RM603 mil) would not suffice to afford the whole cost of hosting the games on a big scale.

Besides that, the economic impact of this cannot be determined at this time.

“The Madani Government thanks the CGF for its offer to host the Commonwealth Games 2026. However, currently, the government would like to focus on sports development and the welfare and well-being of the rakyat,” the statement read.

On Thursday (March 21), Yeoh had stated that the people's interests always come first.

“We are committed to not wasting taxpayers' money, even if we are prepared to host the Games," said Yeoh.

The offer to Malaysia was made after after Victoria, Australia, withdrew last year due to the increase in organising costs from AU$2.6bil (RM8.09bil) to AU$7bil (RM21.78bil).