The Canadian province of Alberta has decided to cancel its bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, citing an estimated bill of C$2.7bn, which the province finds too burdensome. The withdrawal comes after Australia also pulled out of hosting the 2026 Games due to budget blowouts. With Alberta’s exit, there are currently no other firm bids to host the 2030 Games.
The Commonwealth Games Federation expressed its gratitude to the Alberta team for their efforts and hoped the province could be a host in the future. Alberta’s initial plan was to host the games over 11 days in August 2030, with events spread across Calgary, Edmonton, Tsuut’ina Nation, and Enoch Cree Nation.
The decision to withdraw the bid was largely influenced by concerns over the corporate sponsorship model and limited broadcast revenues, which would have placed a significant financial burden on taxpayers. Although disappointed with the cancellation, the CGF is continuing discussions with other potential hosts.
Alberta’s withdrawal raises questions about the future of the Commonwealth Games, as other host bids have faced challenges with securing government commitments and managing rising costs.
Source: BBC
