Regional Victoria to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Regional Victoria in 2026 and is expected to be "a big opportunity" for the state.

Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips told Today "there is a lot of work to do" but Victoria is becoming "the place to be" for major sporting events after hosting the Australian Open, Grand Prix and now the games.

"Victorians are probably the best in the world here at staging events," Mr Phillips told Today.

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Mr Phillips said it is predicted the games will create over 7000 jobs throughout Victoria and a boost to visitor economy as well as more housing built.

"From that point of view, they are all the sorts of benefits that will come from hosting the Games," he said.

Australian swimming great Grant Hackett also told Today the Commonwealth Games being held in Regional Victoria would be "a springboard" going into the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.

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"It does set you up for the Olympic Games. It gives you an opportunity to get in that village and atmosphere," Grant told Today.

"You get to meet all the athletes from other sports and get to compete for your home country and doing it in front of your fellow Australians is second to none.

"It will spread wider than Melbourne the fact that Regional Victoria will be heavily involved in hosting the games and all the infrastructure that is going to be built it will help a lot of kids out there become the stars of tomorrow."

Watch the full interview with Grant Hackett and Craig Phillips above

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