Durban Will Not Host Commonwealth Games

March 13, 2017

The 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games will no longer be held in Durban, South Africa.

The African nation’s sports minister Fikile Mbalula had previously raised speculation that the country may withdraw, when he indicated that financial concerns may make their duties impossible.

Durban became the confirmed Commonwealth Games host in 2015, when running unopposed for the 2022 event. It would have been the first time the competition was held in Africa, but the Durban withdrawal means that Liverpool are likely to host the Games instead.

The English city have already expressed a willingness to step in, should Durban decide against hosting, and today’s confirmation leaves the Liverpudlian offer looking promising.

Mbalula said of South Africa’s concerns over hosting the event: “We gave it our best shot but we can’t go beyond. If the country says we don’t have this money, we can’t.”