RED HOT TIP CONFIRMED

The state government has sensationally pulled the pin on hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to financial concerns.

“The games will not proceed in Victoria in 2026,” Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Tuesday morning.

Press PLAY below to hear the Premier announcing the major decision

The Premier says the decision was made after it “become clear” the cost of hosting the event would not be the $2.6 billion budgeted, but will be $6 billion to $7 billion.

And it’s ignited a war of words.

Commonwealth Games CEO Craig Phillips says the Premier’s predicted cost blows were a “gross exaggeration” and blamed the spiralling costs on the government’s decision to add new venues and events, against their advice.

He also claimed he first became aware Victoria was considering pulling the pin at 8am on Tuesday morning.

Phillips said he would be “very careful, if I were an international sporting body, doing business in this state” and the decision had “jeopardised” Melbourne’s claim at being the sporting capital of the world.

Press PLAY below to hear his scathing response

Mr Andrews says “each and every one” of the permanent sporting facilities in regional Victoria which were slated to be built for the Commonwealth Games will go ahead, and the state government will provide a $1 billion boost for social and affordable housing in regional Victoria, along with a “substantial” regional tourism fund and a “substantial” community sport package.

Neil Mitchell urges state government to backflip on Commonwealth Games

Image: 9News