With three years to go until the eyes of the sporting world are on regional Victoria for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Andrews Labor Government is launching a jobs pipeline that delivers for local workers and businesses.
Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery Jacinta Allan today visited Victoria 2026 Netball venue Bendigo Stadium today to unveil a goods and services procurement pipeline, featuring more than 1,200 opportunities for local companies to win contracts.
The pipeline is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, covering everything from sporting equipment to medals, transport, security, catering, temporary infrastructure, marketing, telecommunications, IT and more.
Victoria 2026 will be the biggest event ever held in regional Victoria, with a jam-packed roster of 20 sports and nine para sports, alongside major festival programs celebrating sport, art and culture in the five Games cities – Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland and Shepparton.
With more than 1 million tickets to go on sale, modelling carried out for the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee estimates the Games will attract around 300,000 visitors from outside the host cities, including more than 100,000 visitors each in Geelong and Ballarat, 50,000 in Bendigo and 25,000 in Gippsland.
The influx of visitors will provide a boost to local hotels, restaurants, cafes and retailers that, together with jobs pipelines, are expected to contribute more than $3 billion to Victoria’s economy, creating more than 7500 jobs before, during and after the Games.
In addition to the goods and services pipeline, the Labor Government is investing in a construction works pipeline for four Games villages and competition venues across the state.
The Local Jobs First policy and the social procurement framework will create opportunities for local contractors and suppliers to win contracts and ensure the Games deliver strong social outcomes.
Regional engagement forums have begun and will continue in host cities. To view the Victoria 2026 Goods and Services Pipeline, businesses can visit the hub at , or to register a supplier profile and learn more about state procurement, visit .
As stated by Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery Jacinta Allan
“We’re delivering the first-ever regional Games, creating thousands of opportunities for local workers and businesses and cementing Victoria’s status as the major events capital of Australia.”
As stated by Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy Harriet Shing
“The 2026 Games are about so much more than sport – as we showcase the best of rural and regional Victoria, we will also be creating jobs, driving economic growth and delivering record housing and community infrastructure.”
As stated by Victoria 2026 Organising Committee CEO Jeroen Weimar
“There will be so many opportunities for Victorian businesses to be part of the team delivering the regional games – and we encourage them to work with local suppliers on these contracts.”
