Glasgow 'on verge' of deal to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Scottish authorities is connected nan verge of agreeing a woody for Glasgow to big nan Commonwealth Games successful 2026.

Health Secretary Neil Gray will clasp talks pinch Commonwealth Games Australia connected Monday morning.

The Australian authorities of Victoria withdrew arsenic 2026 hosts owed to rising costs.

It comes aft Australian authorities promised "a multi-million lb investment" to thief finalise Glasgow's connection to rescue nan multi-sport event.

Glasgow, which hosted nan games successful 2014, is now adjacent to confirming a scaled down arena featuring less sports.

Health Secretary Neil Gray told BBC Scotland News that it was "more likely" now that Scotland would big nan 2026 games than erstwhile discussions began .

But warned that they would beryllium be different from erstwhile Glasgow antecedently hosted nan event.

He told BBC Radio's Good Morning programme: "Reputationally my interest and nan government’s interest has ever been that location is going to beryllium a comparison pinch nan incredibly successful 2014 games, which by immoderate agelong of nan imagination some successful position of nan performances, nan spectacle that it was and nan legacy, were going to beryllium difficult to match.

"But I’m hopeful that if we are capable to recognise that if we are to spell ahead, this is simply a different games, this is simply a smaller event.

"Fewer sports crossed less sites but pinch bully collaboration we could spot thing coming guardant that is still affirmative for Glasgow and for Scotland."

He said discussions were ongoing and stressed that "making judge location is nary financial risks to nan authorities is critically important".

The UK authorities past week assured nan Scottish authorities that nary nationalist money would beryllium required to shape nan games.

Earlier, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Chris Jenkins said Glasgow would present a "world class" Commonwealth Games and create a exemplary for nan future.

He said nan Australian backing promise would "further heighten and support" nan bid to bring nan games backmost to Scotland.

Mr Jenkins besides insisted that nan games would not require financial outlay by either nan Scottish aliases UK governments.

Instead, it would beryllium funded by a CGF finance of £100m, positive backstage income.

He said: "In utilising existing sporting, carrier and accommodation infrastructure, and world-class venues and expertise, nan compact conception would not only build connected nan bequest of Glasgow 2014 but would position Scotland arsenic pioneers astatine nan commencement of our journey.

"This forward-thinking, sustainable, and charismatic proposition is thing we are hugely passionate astir arsenic it will let much countries to big these games successful nan future.

"We judge our caller games exemplary will lead nan measurement for others to follow."

The 2026 arena would beryllium scaled down aft years of trouble for nan competition.

It would characteristic betwixt 10 and 13 sports, compared to 18 successful 2014.

Last week, it emerged that nan UK authorities offered £2.3m to thief screen information and information costs associated pinch nan privately-funded event, but asked nan Scottish authorities to lucifer that figure.

Neil Gray antecedently expressed concerns astir nan "reputational consequence and financial risk" of a bid and stressed it would not beryllium a replica of nan 2014 games.

That version featured an opening ceremonial astatine Celtic Park, arsenic good arsenic athletics astatine Hampden, which besides hosted nan closing ceremony.

But to prevention money only 4 venues would beryllium utilized successful 2026 – including Scotstoun Stadium and nan Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

Commonwealth Games Australia past week offered to span immoderate financial shortfall.

They person told some their Scottish counterparts and nan Scottish authorities that they are prepared to put immoderate of nan compensation they received erstwhile nan Australian authorities of Victoria cancelled its plans.

Commonwealth Games Australia's president Ben Houston said: "We admit that nan exemplary is different and that that creates perceived financial and reputational challenges, but we person each assurance successful nan model."

Commonwealth Games Scotland - who are down nan Glasgow bid - person already welcomed nan offer.

In a connection released past week they said nan Australians' "willingness to invest, to further alleviate concerns of perceived financial and reputational risk, shows nan precocious respect connected which our cost-effective connection is held wrong nan world athletics and events community."