Commonwealth Games: Will there be another event after Alberta and Victoria withdrawals?
BBC NewsSEP 2023
India, Nigeria Bid for 2030 Commonwealth Games Hosting Rights
Above: Finnie the Unicorn, the official mascot of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, on July 23, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. Image copyright: Craig Foy/SNS Group/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The Commonwealth Games face an uncertain future, as they are becoming increasingly expensive to host. Victoria's withdrawal cost taxpayers billions with "all cost and no benefit," while Glasgow's stripped-down version offers just 10 sports and student housing. The pattern is clear — hosting bankrupts cities and leaves behind white elephant venues. The Games' overall relevance has been lost in the modern world.
Narrative B
These bids from sporting powerhouses India and Nigeria demonstrate that the Commonwealth Games remain vital and relevant on the global stage. The new collaborative, sustainable model attracts diverse nations and provides crucial opportunities for sports that currently lack Olympic representation. The Games offer smaller territories with a chance to compete internationally, a challenge that the Olympics cannot match.
Metaculus Prediction
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.15.2
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.15.2