Keir Starmer will try to find a host country for the 2030 Commonwealth Games this week as ministers try to shore up the future of the tournament.
The Prime Minister's spokesman said Starmer wanted to see “a successful Commonwealth Games from 2030” and would spend time this week “talking to partners about who might be interested in taking it forward”.
The Prime Minister is in Samoa this week meeting other leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm). He told reporters traveling with him that the games were still “really important” despite the struggle to find countries willing to host them.
Glasgow stepped in to host a scaled-down version of the games in 2026 after the Australian state of Trofeo abruptly pulled out as host. The bailout deal came after Malaysia rejected a bid to take on the 2026 event, citing costs.
Birmingham, which was due to host in 2026, stepped in to host the 2022 tournament when the South African city of Durban was stripped of hosting rights after suffering financial problems and failing to meet deadlines.
Asked whether the Commonwealth Games should be canceled in light of these difficulties, the Prime Minister said: “No, I think they are really important and I am glad they are being held in Scotland and I think we will put on a really good show.” . and we always do.”
He admitted the event “was going to be scaled down, as you know, but even scaled down is worth a lot of money to Scotland's economy”.
Ministers admit the mid-level sporting event needs an overhaul if it is to survive. The prime minister's spokesman said the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow “would represent the first opportunity to show what a new, lower-cost, more sustainable games model would look like”.
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The spokesperson said Starmer “continues to see the Commonwealth Games not only as a key pathway for elite athletes, a great event for spectators, but also a great opportunity to bring together the Commonwealth family of nations in a positive and impactful.”
Behind the scenes, there are hopes that South Africa will be interested in hosting the event in six years' time.