WEST Midlands Mayor Andy Street has ruled out the possibility of Birmingham providing a replacement venue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Last month, the Australian state of Victoria backed out of hosting the 2026 Games amid what it said was ‘rising costs’.
And doubts now surround the Games four years after that, scheduled for Alberta in Canada, the final bidder for the 2030 edition, which has called a halt to its bid to host the event.
Birmingham hosted last summer’s edition of the Games with other areas of the West Midlands including Coventry playing a role in the event.
Widely hailed as a huge success, the Games saw the world coming to the Second City, sparking a boost in tourism, and a surge in job opportunities for people from all walks of life.
The Alexander Stadium was purpose-built in Perry Park for the 2022 Games.
However Mr Street said although Birmingham and the West Midlands did a ‘brilliant job’ last year, he doesn’t feel the city should take on the next event.
“What the Commonwealth Games needs for its long-term success is for an Australian state to step forward, a Canadian state to step forward and it wouldn’t be quite the same if it was just in one location,” he said.
“As much as we in a sense would love to do it again, it’s not yet the right answer,” he added.
Mr Street was talking to GB News during this interview.
