Is Singapore ready to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games?

As Singapore assesses the feasibility of an invitation to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, some experts say that a lack of sporting facilities could be a hurdle. However, winning the right to stage the event could boost the Singapore brand and improve the local sporting scene, others believe. CNA's Aslam Shah reports.
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[@s._3560]

No. Big waste of money. Singapore is not a sporting nation. Will those new sporting venues be thoroughly utilised after that? Where is the excess land for them? Carefully consider the real reasons why Victoria state want to rid themselves of the burden! If it is so profitable, why didn't they go ahead with it? Why not use money to support and nurture your own citizens and industry sectors for the challenging economic climate road ahead. Invest in public sector services like healthcare, police which are struggling with the increased foreign population already! Life is getting harder for residents every year.

[@psgistheworstclubineurope]

Singapore always want stick their noses in everybody business to extort money from gullible tourists, we have already wooed Swift into performing at a small crammy venue all for money, i wonder whats next

[@jehiahmaduro6827]

Hmm what about temporary structures? He speaks of the need for a Velodrome for Cycling events.....Hmm True the country has quite a bit of world class sporting venues, but the venues needed for an event of this size may outstrip seating capacity. I know they did an awesome job hosting the first ever Summer Youth Olympics... but yeah this event is double the size of that one.

[@aaronthebest5519]

Singapore already has most of the venues

[@EleventhHour2622]

Even Olympics is losing its appeal, Commonwealth Games will only be in a much worse situation..😑

[@user-uw1br3cr8d]

Who cares about Commonwealth games? It is a colonial idea mooted by Great Britain once upon a time..

[@SGrailadventure2004]

I feel Singapore should focus more on the two multi-sport events (Southeast Asian and Asian games)

[@psgistheworstclubineurope]

Focus on developing the youth Batteminton and Swimming and the dying Football talent and Table tennis forget about hosting this and that

[@aaronthebest5519]

The Olympics is definitely not losing its appeal… countries are queuing up to host the 2036 games!

[@maikeirini4631]

God forbid! Please don’t waste taxpayers’ money! Remember the Youth Olympic Games fiasco!!

[@tonykiang9052]

When it's not their money, anyhow spend and pay themselves to be most expensive Govt in world

[@jehiahmaduro6827]

Lol, Yeah those Games had a bit of an over run on the budget.... But the did deliver a very memorable games and were the first to Host the Summer Youth Olympics

[@aaronthebest5519]

Birmingham commonwealth games cost £700mil… it made a profit and brought £1.2bil to the U.K. economy. Doesn’t seem like a waste of taxpayer money to me 🤔

[@tonykiang9052]

Ridout!

[@maikeirini4631]

@@aaronthebest5519 My friend, the devil is in the details...almost £600m of funding came from the central government coffers. Where do you think this money came from?

[@nghonpo7348]

Please don’t waste Singapore money.

[@deschan2246]

Wasting $$$$% just like foreign minister handling the YOG overbudget by 400 million.

[@rich1228]

Please DON'T hose the games here. If SG managed to put off the GAMES without incidents no one will remember. BUT if something goes wrong everyone will say they know SG don't have the resources to do it.

[@Anonymous_Lee19]

1:05 "... about 60% of infrastructure." No space to build the remaining infrastructure. Better not embarrass ourselves by providing subpar facilities.

[@farrahkong1998]

We did the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics, didn't we? Can't see the reason for not doing it. It's nice to see the world constantly mentioning Singapore.

[@davewong9284]

Personally think, should study who the "Sport Stars" who can attract lot of tourist coming to Singapore to watch and spend money, something like Taylor effect

[@stanley1433]

It is challenging to host with the short timeline for my country.

[@stanley1433]

But it is also expensive in terms of cost.

[@MrBoliao98]

40%, can we share with Malaysia cohosting? Their ETS is almost done.

[@ElvinYeoantiaging]

Rivers clening , beach cleaning , trees planting is better than that Game

[@wongkaihong5540]

Well said

[@aaronthebest5519]

And what do you think encourages the spending on aesthetically pleasing upgrades to the city? Big sporting events like the CWG! London cracked down on graffiti on tubes during the build up of the London 2012 games, something that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the games.

[@ericsworld6334]

Yes Singapore should hold Commonwealth.

[@hgyag5366]

Sport premises not ready. Well, when there is will there is way. $ will do the job and Singapore has plenty. Once the premises and facilities are there, nobody can take it away. It will benefits the local. I think it is better to consolidate all country sports competition including Asean Games under Olympic. No point repeating here and there. Waste of resources, afterall many of the sports competitors are same.

[@obsun001]

Altough with its tiny size, Singapore has the muscle to host the games, they have the complete package!

[@stand355]

Amos Yee will give opening speech for the games!

[@robomomsg12]

No please.

[@jqwoo]

Why not? Let SG use the facilities FOC.

[@OnMusicSoon1]

can consider. reduce games and focus on those more traditionally commonwealth games like football, rugby, cricket, hockey, boxing, polo, netball, archery etc and those we are quite good at like swimming, table tennis, surfing, dragon boat etc. go for niche and prestige market. need stars also, maybe the England football team and All blacks rugby team, Tyson fury and some commonwealth pop stars Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay etc for opening and closing ceremony shows. Make it compact yet competitive, no empty stadiums. can also come up with new ideas like some games can invite a guest team outside commonwealth, the current best so that the commonwealth countries can challenge them. Last but most importantly, want to give Christmas Island back to us? haha we need land.

[@SuzieSimSG]

Why host something which is not viable in terms of money, timing, etc, and when other countries have already done their numbers and given up on it too?

[@angeluscorpius]

No.

[@smling11]

Why did government push through the GST increase while people were crying out loud not to do ? So to host Commonwealth game?

[@AutonomousGroupEcoSystemLXD]

Let Malaysia host it.

[@SGrailadventure2004]

Don't, they still have their upcoming 2027 SEA game as well

[@AutonomousGroupEcoSystemLXD]

@@SGrailadventure2004 It's a secret that can't be unveiled . Singapore will only host Olympic games. Leave the common wealth games to Malaysia.

[@waimunyan7007]

Hell no!!! This is a mega waste of money!

[@aaronthebest5519]

Birmingham made profit on their commonwealth games.

[@cosmostrek512]

No total waste of money just like giving 10 million fir Taylor swift concerts. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@studboy2456]

Oh yeah oh yeah hey!

[@richardbranson8844]

Annex Johor and give to Singapore then maybe can. But have to annex tomorrow la.

[@edwardchua1248]

Singapore got those money from scammer who got arrested.. can they use that money?

[@tonykwok9763]

👎👎👎👎👎

[@yokekngtan6500]

SG has plenty of 'Ah Kong' money , Spend Lah. With the same old argument "The benefit outweighs the risks".

[@davidtan9101]

Host? increase GST to 10% ?

[@ahboonahboon8355]

My country dont want to host commonwealth game..so i hope sgp will host coz sgp is a develop and rich country now..❤

[@user-dl3vo1yw9r]

It’s not about your country don’t want to host Commonwealth is your country not capable of holding it😂

[@Indah_nan80]

Why not S'pore and M'sia join forces to organize the Commanwealth games?.Opening ceremony in M'sia and Closing ceremony in S'pore,I think it's nice colobaration.

[@tengfs]

Have it in Johor Bahru instead

[@s._3560]

Absolutely not! Complete waste of money! UK can host it themselves.

[@psgistheworstclubineurope]

The King can host it in his palace himself.

[@joejojo4805]

Malaysia can go host the commonwealth games. Join forces with Malaysia? Probably Singapore will the one footing the bill for her neighbour who is in poverty.

[@dbityeab4522]

Nope 👎🏻not many people will travel to SG for the Games. Don’t waste money. This whole Commonwealth Game just a reminder that UK used to the “Master”and other colonial countries as “Slaves”. Scrap the games.

[@user-uw1br3cr8d]

Can host Taylor Swift event but not Commonwealth games.Why? Not profitable may be the only reason

[@aaronthebest5519]

it’s a sporting event, not a political statement

[@jeremychoo934]

For goodness sake don’t do it! This is being passed around like a hot potato after the Australians gave it up because they realised it’s too expensive. Remember how to YOG ended up seriously over budget? This will be much much worse. Our tax dollars can be put to better use. Even another round of the Eras tour will be better than this.

[@aaronthebest5519]

It’s not going to be worse.. most of the facilities already exist. The sports hub is here. All Singapore needs is a velodrome, but perhaps the track cycling events can be held in the fellow commonwealth nation of Malaysia, who’s velodrome johor is just a few km from the Singapore border

[@yao9598]

isn't the simple solution to co-host with Malaysia?

[@self..destroyer]

Can..SG you pay first, then pay you back later..😅

[@yuliankhoo9295]

Yes I agree .. can't we work together rather than against each other. Share resources la .. opening ceremony in one country and closing ceremony in another country

[@talhahabdullah8980]

Nah.., we dont have the money... even as co host and risky also. The "mood" in country is different now. Something is cooking inside Malaysian periuk and it is almost boiling.

[@mle0ng]

If Malaysia unilaterally pull out then Singapore too has to pay the penalty. Too risky and Singaporeans can’t identify with the Commonwealth just like what one of the speaker said in the video.

[@SGrailadventure2004]

Malaysia still have the 2027 SEA games in the works, so to have this games suddenly in their country when they can just focus on preparing for the SEA games is kinda a rush. What's more, Commonwelth games don't have those like Indonesia, China or even Japan

[@ArabicReja973]

When "Singapore" 🇸🇬 is mentioned, people think of 3 things: - No chewing gum, - capital punishment for petty crimes, and - the TikTok CEO repeating "I am Singaporean" like a school kid. LOL

[@peacefulindian318]

Only Singapore can host many Swiftie shows!😊

[@psgistheworstclubineurope]

If you dont see people chewing gum in Singapore, you must be 60 years old.

[@psgistheworstclubineurope]

​@@peacefulindian318I do not like Taylor Swift extorting tax payer money.

[@peacefulindian318]

@@psgistheworstclubineurope Singapore govt likes: Swiftonomics!😊

[@wcheebh]

No. No. No

[@susugagalala3417]

If Singapore wants to co-host, ONLY co-host with Brunei from amongst the ASEAN commonwealth country (NOT with any other ASEAN commonwealth country due to political considerations). Co-hosting with another non-ASEAN commonwealth country is another option.

[@johnjefferyferendez5785]

As long as money can be made little red dot is in period

[@chalayan]

No, we don't need to waste money and resources to host the Commonwealth games. Rather invest on other events which can bring better ROI and less money spent. Take Australia for an example. They dropped to hose the games after losing so much money.

[@aaronthebest5519]

The only reason Australia ‘dropped out’ was because the state of Victoria purposely overspent on building new facilities that already existed in Melbourne, despite being warned not to by the CWG committee. They then used ‘cost’ as justification for ‘dropping out’ after they got re-elected…

[@wongkaihong5540]

NO....

[@thomastan7511]

Singapore is ready to host the youth Commonwealth Games in 2027

[@rajivmurkejee7498]

Singapore is hopeless at sport. but it likes having events . It's never going to hold the really big events (because it's a joke at sports) so maybe the Comm games would be as big as it could be

[@Ramy-ql3tr]

Sg can but that doesn't mean we should. CG is outdated.

[@tonykiang9052]

In these times, spend money to host such events!? Sporeans need more help from Govt social spending...

[@theanalyst2018]

Taylor Swift Concerts are more beneficial

[@m03_m]

Build 10 dome side by side then convert into 1 for Taylor concert. 1 time 1 millon spectators. Give Taylor citizenship 😜

[@Lonewolfinvestor888]

Don’t be silly, the return on equity is poor. Who care about commonwealth? The money spent of the games, can invite TS 200x to Singapore for concert.

[@lxy315lxy]

But sporting event is done different from a concert, it helps more people get into sports. Just look how many Singaporeans took up swimming after Joseph Schooling won the gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games? How many Singaporeans take up badminton after Low Kean Yew won the world championship? Singapore have hosted the Youth Olympic Games and SEA Games before which were very successful so we can certainly host the Commonwealth Games too

[@Lonewolfinvestor888]

@@lxy315lxy at what cost? Last count 7b. With that kind of money, incentives and infrastructures could be built to better help for local athletics.

[@lxy315lxy]

@Lonewolfinvestor888 If you think hosting Commonwealth Games is a waste of money then why did Singapore bid to host the World Aquatic Championships next year? I believe Singapore is capable of hosting Commonwealth Games it all depends on whether the government want to submit a bid. We can just upgrade the existing venue instead of building new ones so that the cost will be kept to a minimum. Athletes can stay in 5 stars Hotel instead of a Games village and they will all get to take public transport making the event an environmentally sustainable

[@Lonewolfinvestor888]

@@lxy315lxy back to cost and effect. The world aquatic championship cost much lesser. There are many sporting event which are first rated and there are those event consider second rated. Unfortunately The commonwealth games in all grand scheme of things is not the first rated game. The Australian and the Canadian had work out the numbers for us. If it doesn’t make commercial sense for them to host the games, why should we even get involved? Even the Anglo Saxons blood link didn’t stop the games from abolishing in Australia and Canada.

[@iwdws]

Give it to malaysia. You already played dirty with taylor swift concerts 🙄😒

[@colorpeace-fo1sp]

TS is a business deal and not dirty. It is similar to a rock band Muse concert which they performed only in Malaysia last year being the only show in Asia for their world tour. So definitely had an exclusive deal as well.

[@yokekngtan6500]

FINDLAND, the world's happiest country, spends more than 20% of its gross domestic product on Social Protection Programs, i.e. pensions, health care, unemployment and other social services. HOW MUCH DOES SINGAPORE SPEND? Or, Singaporeans do not want such social protect programs because they are too rich and too happy?!

[@deschan2246]

Only If money come from pm, ministers mp !!! Dont add burden to Singaporeans

[@s._3560]

Cost estimate by Australia was from $2.6bn to up to $7bn. Even Alberta Canada doesn't want to host 2030 CommonWealth games due to cost! Later on, Singapore will want to increase GST to 20% to recoup back those white elephants built!

[@jer2911.L]

@deschan2246 YOU ARE NOT A SINGAPOREAN. TALK ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY MALAYSIA NOT WANTING TO HOST THE CG.

[@kengleetan63]

Aust cite cost over run, you Sinkie take over ah? Must be collected too much from property taxes and GST!😆😆😆

[@ericyeo1454]

NO not commonwealth games. Taylor Swift better. Just stick to concerts We dont have to do everything. Sports have less fans than superstars

[@monkeyguy80]

Malaysia sure give up one

[@davidt5185]

Yes, my colonial master. Whatever you desire😜

[@GASIA-cw8iw]

Poor men's games. Ha ha ha!

[@user-cl3ke3gy2f]

yes; it is prestigious n tourim grabber....commonwealth is a bunch of colonial subjects of the british empire...sg --malaya---india--usa...australia---canada.lol

[@Tony.L9793]

host world cup better, can earn more money then all singaporeans will get more bonuses at least $1k each🤣

[@GeeWhizzzz]

Local athletes benefit from any sporting event. Worrying about the colonial past - is wumao stupidity. Disguise your lame intent with real concerns like the cost/benefits, venue readiness, use of space ... ect If it's not held here so be it let our athletes go and compete - regardless

[@user-uw1br3cr8d]

Singapore has the financial ability to stage the games. However, always find excuses to avoid it. Maybe afraid that it will be non profitable.

[@archangel763]

Singapore, don't waste your money. Bid for the Olympic Games instead.

[@gohal7485]

Bid for the world cup football, at least being the host automatically have the slot in the tournament proper otherwise don't know when can Singapore qualify. Maybe FIFA decide to increase qualifiers to 88, as our highest ranking is 73

[@psgistheworstclubineurope]

​@@gohal7485Oh you wish... FAS is not doing anything, we only have Japanese coaches like how we had Japanese teachers during WW2, and our youth academy is dead 😂

[@caligula4725]

Please don't waste taxpayer's money, we are not ah sia kia

[@johnchan6955]

A waste of time. A waste of money. No body wants to watch these games. Better to give us more CDC vouchers !

[@talhahabdullah8980]

Well you singporean did pay Taylor Swift handsomely ... why not for this. This is bigger and more money for Singapore.

[@JeffreyCheong]

st0p wasting tax payers m0nies ....

[@anziar3038]

The PAP govt has done a great job hosting the Taylor Swift concerts. It's so obvious that the opposition parties have a lot to learn from PAP in terms of capability and competence.❤❤

[@lxy315lxy]

Why make this political? Your comment is pure arrogance when opposition parties never had a chance to govern Singapore so you are saying something that hasn't even happened yet lmfao

[@pyfirst214]

The Commonwealth Games will be the perfect opportunity for Singapore to shine on world stage. We definitely should go ahead to host it. With that experience we stand a chance to bid for Summer Olympic Games 2036.

[@thirtynine540]

@ArabicReja973 When "Malaysia" 國 is mentioned, people think of 3 things; - Weak ringgit $RM, - Malaysian Chinese complaining over social media how their Malay counterparts are inefficient, unfair, racially biased, and - Malaysians quarreling over politics and bah-ku-te while their $RM is falling in value. LOL

[@nicholasfooong.]

Ci na ba bi destroyed malaysia and sold it to the king of ci na ba bi, xi jinpig

[@joejojo4805]

Please dun waste money in organising useless sporting events like Commonweath games or SEA Games. if they need to do sporting events, bid for something smaller scale for example WTT World championship, BWF World championship, Thomas Cup/ Uber Cup or other world championship tournaments.