Table Tennis Australia welcomes the return of Commonwealth Games to Australia in 2026

Table Tennis Australia welcomes today’s news that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will return to Australia and be held in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

The announcement made today by the Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is exciting news, with table tennis and para-table tennis set to be included as core sports for the 2026 program.

In what will be a first-ever predominantly regional Commonwealth Games, Victoria 2026 will be staged in March 2026 across multiple cities and regional hubs including Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland. Melbourne will host the Opening Ceremony.

TTA is fully supportive of a regional focus for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, given table tennis has a strong history of holding events in regional areas. Australian table tennis also has a proud history at the Friendly Games, winning more than 10 medals since the sport was first included in 2002.

“We look forward to vying for more medals on home soil in 2026,” said Table Tennis Australia CEO, Scott Houston.

“On behalf of TTA, I would like to thank Commonwealth Games Australia and the Victorian Government for their outstanding work in bringing the event to Victoria. TTA enjoys an excellent working relationship with both parties and we look forward to this continuing in the lead up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” he said.

National Head Coach – Able-Bodied, John Murphy, added he is excited about the Commonwealth Games returning to Australia in 2026 and the opportunities the event will provide for athlete’s development.

“We have an outstanding crop of players at the moment and many of them will be reaching their prime by 2026.

“Having the opportunity to compete for Australia on home soil will no doubt provide even further motivation for our players to keep striving for excellence in the coming years,” he said.

Commonwealth Games Australia President Ben Houston said CGA had been seeking a host for 2026 and worked closely with the CGF for the past two years to bring the Commonwealth Games back to Australia.

Commonwealth Games Australia is thrilled to welcome the athletes of the Commonwealth back to Australia and we look forward to working with both the CGF and the Victorian Government to bring the Games to life across Victoria in 2026.

"A home Games will provide immeasurable benefits for our Member sports and will inspire our athletes in what will be a unique and exciting Games,” he said.

CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: “The Commonwealth Games Federation is absolutely delighted to award the 2026 Commonwealth Games to Victoria.

“Commonwealth Games Australia and the Victorian Government have set out a bold and innovative vision for hosting our major multi-sport event.

"In Victoria, we believe we have found the perfect partner for the next stage of our journey,” she said.

Australia has staged the Commonwealth Games on five occasions, with Victoria playing host to the Melbourne 2006 Games; widely considered one of the most successful editions of the event in history. Australia also staged the Games in Sydney in 1938, Perth in 1962, Brisbane in 1982 and most recently Gold Coast in 2018. Victoria has also hosted the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo in 2004.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games will be staged in Birmingham, England from 28 July – 8 August 2022 where Australia is expected to be represented by 425 athletes across all 21 sports.