2018 Commonwealth Games – Bid Process

The bidding process for the XXI Commonwealth Games will begin in 2010 with Candidate Cities, through their Commonwealth Games Association (CGA), notifying the Commonwealth Games Federation of their intention to bid.

The deadline for formal lodgement of bids to the Commonwealth Games Federation, in the form of a Candidate City File, will take place in 2011, six months prior to the General Assembly. This part of the process has previously (2003 & 2007) been marked by a bid lodgement ceremony in London.

The lodgement is then followed by a visit by the Commonwealth Games Evaluation Commission who then produce a detailed report which is circulated to all CGAs and made public. Commonwealth Games Associations then have the opportunity to visit each Candidate City once to view facilities, venues, and receive presentations from the bid committee.

The CGAs then congregate at the CGF’s General Assembly in 2011 and vote to award the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Each CGA is entitled to one vote each. After the votes have been cast and verified by independent scrutinisers, the President of the Commonwealth Games announces the decision to the Assembly and the people of the Commonwealth.

The CGF has developed a Candidate City Manual to guide Candidate Cities in the development of their Candidate City File. This Manual in conjunction with other CGF documents establishes the legal, financial and technical obligations of each Candidate City and Host City when selected and outlines the procedures, rules and timeline for bidding. The Candidate City Manual for 2018 will be available to download here in 2009.