“Malaysia Rejects Hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games, Putting Event’s Future in Jeopardy”
Malaysia has declined the opportunity to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, citing insufficient funding and inadequate planning time, a decision that raises concerns about the event’s continuity for the first time since World War II.
Officials expressed dissatisfaction with the Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) offer of £100 million in funding, deeming it insufficient for the extensive planning required. Malaysian government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil emphasized the prohibitive costs and time constraints, stating that the country would have considered hosting with more lead time.
The rejection by Malaysia, which previously hosted the games in 1998, comes after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as hosts in July 2025 for similar reasons. With Malaysia’s withdrawal, the CGF faces a challenge in securing a suitable host for the event.
Birmingham, the host of the 2022 tournament, had initially agreed to host the 2026 games after South Africa lost its hosting rights due to slow preparations. However, concerns over cost and relevance have prompted several cities to withdraw from the bidding process, leaving limited options for the CGF.
The future of the Commonwealth Games remains uncertain, with questions raised about its colonial origins and the challenges of finding willing hosts. The CGF has yet to comment on Malaysia’s decision to withdraw as a host for the 2026 event.
