维多利亚州为退出2026年英联邦运动会的承办承诺付出了沉重代价。[1]该州因预计成本超支而在2023年决定退出，最终支付了5.89亿澳元的沉没成本和法律赔偿，其中约1.94亿澳元直接赔付给了格拉斯哥组织方。[1]相比之下，格拉斯哥成功以1.5亿英镑（约2.9亿澳元）完成了这项赛事的举办，仅为维多利亚原预算的5%。[1]
维多利亚州近年来在重大体育赛事方面的困境不止于此。[1]过去十年间，该州经历了多次体育特许权的倒闭：2023年晚期Collingwood Magpies退出Super Netball；2024年早期Melbourne Rebels进入管理程序；2025年8月Western United陷入"条件性冬眠"；2026年6月Cricket Victoria宣布合并两支Big Bash球队。[1]同时，维多利亚还失去了MotoGP的30年主办权、2023年女子足球世界杯的主要比赛、2027年橄榄球世界杯和2026年橄榄球联盟世界杯的举办权。[1]
这些挫折反映出维多利亚作为澳大利亚体育中心地位的衰落。[1]昆士兰州的经济增长尤为明显，从1993年比维多利亚州小64%，到2025年的差距已缩小至仅17%。[1]尽管面临这些挑战，维多利亚仍主办澳大利亚网球公开赛、F1大奖赛、墨尔本杯和澳大利亚规则橄榄球等重要赛事。[1]
Victoria has withdrawn from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games and will shoulder substantial financial costs for the decision. The state is paying AUD $589 million in sunk costs and legal settlements, with approximately $194 million going directly to Glasgow's organizing committee.[1] Glasgow ultimately hosted the 2026 Games with a budget of £150 million—approximately AUD $290 million—representing just 5 percent of Victoria's original planned expenditure.[1]
The withdrawal reflects a broader erosion of Victoria's standing as Australia's premier sports destination. Over the past decade, the state has experienced four major sporting franchise collapses: Collingwood Magpies' exit from Super Netball in late 2023, Melbourne Rebels' entry into administration in early 2024, Western United's conditional hibernation in August 2025, and Cricket Victoria's merger of two Big Bash teams announced in June 2026.[1] Additionally, Victoria has lost hosting rights to several marquee events, including MotoGP after 30 years of continuous tenure, major matches of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.[1]
Meanwhile, rival states are consolidating their competitive position. Queensland's economy has grown significantly relative to Victoria's—the gap between the two states narrowed from 64 percent in 1993 to 17 percent by 2025.[1] Despite these setbacks, Victoria continues to host the Australian Open, Formula 1 Grand Prix, Melbourne Cup, and Australian Rules Football competitions.[1]
