![](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/In1yjtheYDgBvZ6lX7v2XndzH6M=/750x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fvms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F2023%2F08%2F527325%2Fpickerimage.jpg)
Less than a month after the Victorian government announced it was backtracking on its commitment to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a Canadian province has pulled the pin on its bid to host the 2030 event.
Alberta had been exploring a bid with hosting duties split between the cities of Calgary and Edmonton, as well as the indigenous Tsuut'ina Nation and other areas of the province.
However, the provincial government decided against continuing that bid, with Commonwealth Sport Canada pointing some of the blame at Victoria for the decision.
"Commonwealth Sport Canada has been informed by the Alberta Government that they have decided to discontinue the exploration of a 2030 Commonwealth Games bid," the governing body said in a statement.
"We believe the recent decision by the Victorian government to withdraw from the 2026 Commonwealth Games was a significant factor in Alberta's decision, as well as an over-dependence on taxpayer's support for the planning and delivery of the Games."
Local media has reported unfeasible financials for the proposed event – similar to the cost blowouts cited by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews – is behind the decision.
"Alberta has a successful history of hosting major, international multi-sport games in our province and any proposal to host major games is considered with the interests of Alberta taxpayers at top of mind," Tourism and Sport Minister Joseph Schow told Canadian outlet Global News.
"We promised to remain transparent with Albertans about the costs of hosting international sporting events and clearly demonstrating a return on our investment for the people and communities of Alberta.
"In the case of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the numbers just didn't add up for our government to commit taxpayers' money with the Games estimated to cost $2.68 billion.
"The corporate sponsorship model and limited broadcast revenues for the Commonwealth Games would have put 93 per cent of financial burden and risks on Albertans."
Alberta's bid would have seen the Commonwealth Games hosted in Canada to mark the 100th anniversary of the inaugural event, which was held in Edmonton under the banner of the British Empire Games.
The province's decision to pull out of the running for the Games further highlights their uncertain future, with financial concerns causing a number of hosting headaches in recent times.
Well before Victoria and Alberta pulled out, the South African city of Durban was stripped of hosting rights for the 2022 Games after a review found a "significant departure from the undertakings" in a number of the original bid's commitments, including funding.
The 2022 event was eventually held in Birmingham.
After Victoria's withdrawal, every other Australian mainland state poured cold water on the idea of playing host in 2026, as did New Zealand.
In a statement following Alberta's withdrawal, the Commonwealth Games Federation said it hoped the province will host a future instalment.
"The Commonwealth Games Federation is sorry to hear that Alberta is no longer developing its bid proposal for the 2030 Commonwealth Games," it said.
"We thank all those who worked on Alberta's inspiring and comprehensive plan and we believe the province could be a fantastic host for the Commonwealth Games in the future.
"We had already been reviewing our selection timeline as a result of the recent Victorian Government decision.
"The dialogue with other potential hosts is ongoing."
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.