Is the Commonwealth Games Cost Worth It?
57.1 million streamed the Commonwealth games over two years ago on BBC platforms. It might have seemed like a turning point for a competition, which can be viewed as out of date and very expensive advertising for a Commonwealth city, providing few benefits. With uncertainty about the 2026 edition, which eventually went to Glasgow, is the Commonwealth Games worth its cost?
As someone who went and enjoyed the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the events were exciting, and they only had 5 years to create it. The beach volleyball had a party-like atmosphere, songs blasting between rounds and overall, it was a great event. Combining international level sport with a family friendly atmosphere it was evidently very popular. On the other hand, the badminton forgot all of this. The NEC event was trapped in a black-curtained box with multiple solemn games going on in front of you. It showed the different sides of the games, a split between solely focus on the highest level of professional sport and trying to modernise and bring a new, younger generation of fans to the games.
Overall, Birmingham seemed a success. The Alexander Stadium was renovated into a sporting staple of the West Midlands Region with more than 1.3 million tickets sold making it the most attended Commonwealth Games in the UK. It brought together all 72 commonwealth nations to the home of The Bullring, Aston Villa and The Peaky Blinders. An event which contributes £1.2 million to the UK economy surely can’t be deemed a failure can it?
Brummies will never forget the many iconic moments, from Alex Yee’s opening-day gold in the individual triathlon to Birmingham-born Myles Hesson’s overtime winner in the basketball final. Hesson told Team England “[Even] In my wildest dreams, making the winning shot in Birmingham for Commonwealth gold, it's a joke.”
The Commonwealth Games gives athletes the chance to compete for a sense of national and regional pride with a greater opportunity of qualifying, due to the UK being split up. Gibraltar swimmer, Asia Kent, competed in four events for her country with her highest rank being 11th. Without Team GB being split up, Kent most likely wouldn’t have qualified. Yet, she had the chance to compete at one of the world’s biggest sporting competitions, representing an overseas territory of just over 30,000 people- around half of Stourbridge. The Games also bring communities together. Unlike any other international competition, the tiny overseas territory of Norfolk Island is allowed to compete. The island has won two bronze medals in lawn bowls.
So, surely with all this merit to the Commonwealth Games, every city in the Commonwealth should be trying to bid for upcoming editions? Not quite. The truth is the cost of holding such an international event can be crippling to cities. The 2022 edition was meant to be hosted in Durban, South Africa, but was taken away from them due to financial issues. Think of having to build arenas, employ staff, and create an innovative opening and closing ceremony.
Victoria, an Australian state, first stepped up for the 2026 games but withdrew when the cost double the estimated economic benefits for the state so could not be justified. Up stepped Glasgow, who will host for the second time in its history. The Scottish city will host a smaller, more cost-justifiable Games, making changes such as athlete accommodation in university student residences.
So, is it really worth it? There is now uncertainty about the 2030 edition, which will be the competitions 100-year anniversary. The Games just seems to be one of many other stepping stones to the Olympics, there is still uncertainty about countries staying in the Commonwealth, such as Australia’s 1999 referendum on becoming a republic. On the other hand, fewer countries could lead to a more appealing Games to host with smaller expenses. The Commonwealth Youth Games has become a more popular phenomenon; keeping the ties within the Commonwealth close while being able to improve and show the Commonwealth’s next generation of young athletes what competing at an international stage looks like.
I support The Commonwealth Games, as it helps athletes across the Commonwealth to compete on one of the biggest stages no matter of where they’re from. The Games should focus on getting Commonwealth athletes ready to compete with the world’s best two years later, while also bringing in families to sports they may never have seen. If The Games can be seen not as a burden but as an opportunity for nations to come and see their city, whilst having the best athletes compete, why shouldn’t it be kept and grown to compete with the Olympics in years to come?
Photo reference from: https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/young-reporter/30395/