Regional Victoria has taken the baton for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and now it’s full steam ahead for the Games.
The Birmingham Closing Ceremony saw digital animation artwork of three regional First Nations artists brought to life in the stadium and celebrated the best of regional Victoria.
The works of Gippsland artists Eileen Harrison and Ronald Edwards Pepper and Ballarat’s Josh Muir were an integral part of the electrifying fusion of First Peoples’ traditions and contemporary performances.
Vanessa Amorosi, Baker Boy and Geelong singer-songwriter Taylor Henderson led exhilarating performances that showcased regional Victoria.
The baton has been handed to Victoria 2026, which will be held between March 17 and 29, beginning with the Opening Ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Opening Ceremony will be followed by 12 days of competition between the Commonwealth’s best athletes across regional Victoria, allowing our regions to shine on the world stage.
Victoria 2026 will introduce a new model, delivering sports to four regional hubs in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland.
Each hub will have its own athletes’ village and host a range of sports.
A Victoria-wide program of live sites and activations will ensure visitors are welcomed in every corner of the state, with the Queen’s Baton Relay to traverse the regions in the weeks leading up to the Opening Ceremony.
It is estimated the Commonwealth Games will contribute more than $3 billion to the state’s economy, creating more than 600 full-time jobs before the Games, 3900 during the Games and a further 3000 jobs afterwards.