Geelong a step closer to new sports venues for Games

Preparations to build Geelong’s two new purpose-built venues for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games is powering ahead with designers now appointed to lead design works.

A $292 million Victorian Government investment will ensure the multi-sport venues will support growing local communities in and around Armstrong Creek and Waurn Ponds following the Commonwealth Games.

Leading architecture firm Warren and Mahoney has partnered with Geelong’s own Four18 Architecture as design consultants on the Armstrong Creek Aquatics venue, which will host Swimming, Para Swimming and Diving.

The Aquatics venue on Barwarre Road will boast three pools - competition, warm up and diving pools - during the Commonwealth Games.

The venue will also feature multi-sport courts, a community pool and green open space after the Commonwealth Games are finished.

Australian firm ARM Architecture has been appointed to lead the design of the Gymnastics, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting venue on Baanip Boulevard in Waurn Ponds.

After the Closing Ceremony, the Waurn Ponds venue will feature multi-sport courts, a dance studio and a regional-level gymnastics centre.

Work on the design of both venues will commence immediately and local communities will start to see activity on both sites over the coming months as site investigations get underway.

Geelong will be home to nine sports for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the Games village at Waurn Ponds Station Precinct set to host about 2,500 athletes and officials, while Kardinia Park will host the Closing Ceremony with 40,000 spectators.

Development Victoria is a key delivery partner for the sports infrastructure required to host events. It is estimated the Games will contribute more than $3 billion to Victoria’s economy, creating more than 7,500 jobs before, during and after the Games.