2026 Commonwealth Games bid

Perth's Lord Mayor pushes for 2026 Commonwealth Games bid

With more than 61,000 people in attendance for the Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final at Optus Stadium this weekend, Zempilas said the Western Australia capital could now step up and position itself as a “big events city” by taking on responsibility for hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

"The 2026 Commonwealth Games is available, there is no host city for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, it’s there, it’s available," Zempilas told 9News.

“If we put our hand up in a meaningful and decisive manner, we can win the Commonwealth Games.

Cameron promises support for British city to stage 2026 Commonwealth Games

However Liverpool may face opposition from another English city, Birmingham, where there is growing support for them to launch a campaign.

Anderson, re-elected on May 5, had pledged before the election to seriously investigate whether the city should put itself forward and had written to British Culture Secretary John Whittingdale to seek his support.

Anderson claimed hosting the Commonwealth Games could have the same positive impact on Liverpool as it did on neighbours Manchester in 2002 and Glasgow in 2014.

He claimed there was widespread backing for his idea.