Latrobe City Council has welcomed yesterday’s announcement by the Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Shaun Leane of Gippsland’s sports program and location of the Games Village for the 2026 Games.
Five sports will be staged in the region, with Shooting and Para Shooting bolstering the existing competition schedule of Women’s T20 Cricket, Badminton, Rugby Sevens and Road Cycling.
The Cycling Road Race will finish with a criterium in Gippsland with the Commonwealth’s best racing for gold within central Traralgon.
T20 Cricket is part of a strong women’s sports program and will see the reigning world champion Australian team look to defend the gold medal they won at this year’s Commonwealth Games.
This expanded program of sports means more athletes will experience the best of regional Victoria in 2026, attracting thousands of additional visitors to witness the competition for medals.
The Games village location has also been locked in and will be established on English Street, Morwell and will be a home-away-from-home for about 1,000 athletes and officials.
The village will be designed in consultation with the local community and Traditional Owners, celebrating the rich culture of the Gunaikurnai people and the Gippsland region’s vibrant communities and landscapes.
“This will be a fantastic opportunity for Latrobe City to be featured on the world sporting stage, along with a supporting cultural program of events, reflecting the diversity of the region.
“The establishment of the village will leave a valuable legacy, delivering much needed housing that can be adapted to the needs of our community, from new opportunities for our valued seniors and elders aged care through to social and affordable living options.
“We look forward to working alongside the Victorian Government to ensure the village is delivered to the highest accessibility environmental and societal standards in line with Council’s Urban Design Guidelines,” said the Mayor.
It is estimated the 2026 Commonwealth Games will contribute more than $3 billion to Victoria’s economy, creating more than 600 full-time equivalent jobs before they start, 3,900 jobs during the Games and a further 3,000 jobs after the Closing Ceremony.
