AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll welcomed the announcement.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for sport in Australia - and for sport to contribute to Australia’s wellbeing. With Brisbane hosting the 2032 Olympic Games, we now have a second major home Games in prospect. The Olympic and Commonwealth Games share so many member sports.

“We have spoken about the green and gold runway leading into Brisbane 2032. To host a Commonwealth Games in 2026 would be a major marker on that runway.

“This year we have the FIBA Women’s World Cup (basketball) and the UCI World Road Championships (cycling). In 2023 the FIFA World Cup for women (football) and potentially Rugby World Cup (men) in 2027 – more than 30 major global sporting events are coming to Australia across the next ten years.”

Mr Carroll says these events that will deliver direct economic return to the country through tourism, infrastructure, technology, education and health.

“Sport brings health, educational and wellbeing benefits to the community and can play a pivotal role in getting Australians active, reducing obesity and other health related problems including mental illness.

“The Intergenerational Review of Australian Sport predicted Australia will face $88 billion of extra health and social cost over the next 10 years if nothing is done about obesity – sport can help avert this crisis. Sport can assist government to lift national pride, provide social cohesion and promote Australia’s reputation globally.

“This is why we have developed a Sport 10+10 strategy in conjunction with CGA that seeks s to create the funding certainty that will allow sport to deliver these benefits.

“We want to assist Commonwealth, state and territory governments in addressing our intergenerational challenges. That’s why the sports industry is calling for a role in policy development.

"We need a National Sport Event Strategy for major sporting events to ensure benefits and legacy are maximised,” Mr Carroll concluded."