The Commonwealth Games Federation have “fully endorsed” the Scottish Commonwealth Games team’s plan for Glasgow 2026.

With the Australian Commonwealth Games, plan to host in Victoria, pulling out of hosting the 2026 edition of the games they have offered a multi-million-pound commitment of support for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games concept.

The Commonwealth Games Federation President Chris Jenkins said: “We commend Commonwealth Games Australia (CGAus) for making this generous multi-million-pound offer to further enhance and support the Glasgow 2026 ambitions.

“It demonstrates the tremendous support from around the Commonwealth and the overwhelming desire to have a Games take place in 2026.

“The Commonwealth Games Federation fully endorses the innovative, cost-effective sustainable concept Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) has developed for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and unreservedly believes that Scotland and the CGS team, with its significant experience in, and successful global reputation for organising major sports events, is more than able to deliver a world-class event in such a short period of time.”

Following the Victorian Government’s decision to pull out of hosting the Games, in April Commonwealth Games Scotland revealed details of an innovative, cost-effective and sustainable concept for the Games without the need for significant public investment.

The cost of the Games is calculated at approximately £114 million, devised by a team of experienced major event budgeting professionals

The Games would be funded by private income rather than by the Scottish and UK Government, with the majority of costs covered by the CGF, using money secured in a compensation negotiation with the Victorian Government.

The support for Glasgow to host the games includes £100 million towards the cost of running the Games, with the remainder funded through commercial opportunities.

While there is an additional multi-million-pound investment into upgrading public sporting facilities including maintaining Tollcross as a world-class venue and to ensure the future of Scotstoun as a world-class rugby and athletics venue along with funding for city activation projects across Glasgow.

Jenkins added: “A fundamental part and principle of the Glasgow 2026 project has always been to build a concept where the delivery of the Games does not require financial underwriting by either the Scottish or UK Governments.

“These Games are funded by the Commonwealth Games Federation investment of £100 million plus private income. Budgets have been devised by a team of experienced major event budgeting professionals and a significant contingency is included in the budget.

“In utilising existing sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure, and world-class venues and expertise, the compact concept would not only build on the legacy of Glasgow 2014 but would position Scotland as pioneers at the start of our journey.

“This forward-thinking, sustainable, and attractive proposition is something we are hugely passionate about as it will allow more countries to host these Games in the future. We believe our new Games model will lead the way for others to follow.

“The model for these Games is different but innovative, the past blueprint for multi-sports events had to change in order to become more sustainable for the future. Glasgow 2026 would be the first step in the Commonwealth Sport Movement’s journey to reset and reframe the Commonwealth Games as a co-created, flexible, and sustainable model that inspires athletes, and excites Hosts and International Federations.

“In addition, on top of the Games bringing significant inward investment to Glasgow and Scotland, the Federation is also providing additional multi-million-pound investment into upgrading public sporting facilities and funding for legacy, cultural and city activation projects across Glasgow, to further ensure that the host community directly benefits from the Games.

“This further support from the wider Commonwealth Sport Movement demonstrates the commitment and confidence our members have with this concept as well as being a clear signal of the importance the Commonwealth Games holds in the world sporting calendar.

“On the basis that the Games are fully-funded and responsibly budgeted, with further support now pledged from international partners, we look forward to working with the Scottish Government to fully realise the benefits of a new, innovative Games in one of the Commonwealth’s most valued and experienced sporting cities.”

The cost of hosting the Games in Glasgow have been minimised through several aspects, with a revised programme of 10 sports, reducing the number of athletes and support staff attending the games.

A compact four-venue model within an eight-mile corridor, minimising transport, hire and security costs that make use of existing sport and accommodation venues, avoiding the need for major capital projects.

Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Ian Reid CBE, said “The Games will undoubtedly look and feel different to the historic events of 10 years ago. However, the circumstances facing us are remarkably different – the 2026 Games hang in the balance and the UK finances are facing tough decisions.

“But the Games presents a real opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland, giving us the chance to bring wide-ranging benefits to the country and public purse.”

Despite the economic constraint that will have an impact on the games Ian Reid CBE says Commonwealth Scotland are still “confident of delivering a world-class sporting event to packed crowds in Glasgow, with some of the world’s sporting stars providing inspirational moments.”

He also says they consider declining the offer of support to be “in our opinion – short-sighted” when the potentially positive economic impact of hosting the Games is taken into account.

A decision is expected on whether Scotland will host the Commonwealth Games for the second time this century having hosted in 2014.