Reasons behind Decision for Singapore Not to Make A Bid to Host 2026 Commonwealth Games

39 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what are the reasons behind the decision by Commonwealth Games Singapore and Sport Singapore not to make a bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games; and (b) whether the Government has considered a joint-bid with a neighbouring country to reduce the hosting resources.

Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: We assess the feasibility of hosting any major sporting event by considering whether it would be in Singapore's interests to do so. This includes our sporting, social and economic outcomes. These factors have to be balanced against the cost of hosting the event, including infrastructure and manpower costs, and other opportunity costs.

As mentioned in our response to Parliamentary Question No 21 for Oral Answer, the Commonwealth Games Federation invited all Commonwealth Games Associations, including Singapore, to express interest in hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games. [Please refer to "Projected Cost of Hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games by Singapore", Official Report, 3 April 2024, Vol 95, Issue 134, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]

We have since studied the feasibility of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, including whether it would be feasible to do so jointly with another country. Taking into consideration the factors above, we have decided not to make any bid or joint-bid to host the Games.