Singapore joined Malaysia in ruling out hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday, further sending the future of the multi-sport event into uncertainty.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has been struggling to find a new host after the Australian state of
Victoria withdrew last year due to soaring costs
.

Malaysia had emerged as a possible replacement but
turned down the opportunity last month
, despite the offer of a £100 million ($126 million) sweetener from the CGF.

The financial support is available to any prospective host.

“Commonwealth Games Singapore and Sport Singapore have studied the feasibility of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games and have decided not to make any bid to host the Games,” the two sports bodies said in a joint statement, without dwelling into it.

Victoria’s pullout, and the lack of obvious alternatives, have raised doubts over the future of the CWG. The multi-sport event takes place every four years with most of the competing teams coming from former British colonies.

The Games were last hosted in 2022 by Birmingham in England.

The CGF hopes that the Games’ perceived strengths of inclusivity and integration, with para sports mixed in with able-bodied events, will secure a host just two years out.

Katie Sadleir, the CEO of the CGF, has
accepted time is pressing
but says intensive efforts are under way.

“The process to determine a host for the 2026 Games is continuing at pace with interested Commonwealth Games Associations,” she had said last month.