The Commonwealth Games could return to the United Kingdom, with Scotland weighing up the cost after Victoria dumped the event because it was too expensive.
State Premier Daniel Andrews put the price tag to run the 2026 event in regional Victoria at up to $7 billion, more than double the initial estimate of $2.6b.
Every other Australian state and territory has rejected calls to replace Victoria, promoting the Commonwealth Games Federation to flag that it's open to discussions with any member nations interested in taking it on.
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said he would investigate what might be possible.
"I have noted the comments from others that Scotland could look to be part of something bigger, part of a multi-city, multi-country host," Mr Yousaf told STV News.
"I've asked my team to explore whether that's a possibility or not, but it may be difficult, but let's see what the art of the possible is."
Scotland has hosted the Commonwealth Games on three occasions, twice in Edinburgh in 1970 and 1986, and most recently in Glasgow in 2014.
Former Queensland premier and chairman of the state's 2018 Gold Coast Games, Peter Beattie, suggested 2022 host Birmingham was the only viable option outside of Australia.
"I hope the Commonwealth Games survive," he told ABC News.
"There's only one hope in my view for the future of this Commonwealth Games in '26 - go back to Birmingham."
Mr Andrews refused to be drawn on suggestions that the UK permanently host the Games.
"That's a matter for organisers," Mr Andrews said on Wednesday.
The cost of Victoria running the Games was fiercely disputed by organisers who claimed the government ignored options such as moving the event to Melbourne.
But doing that would still have cost $4b, Mr Andrews said.
Victorian Liberal senator Jane Hume said the state government had mishandled the situation.
"This is because Victoria is broke - we are a failed state and it's because of the incompetence of this government," she told Seven's Sunrise program.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said his state was not in a position to host due to record debt and a need to follow through on election promises.
South Australia, the ACT, Tasmania, WA and the Northern Territory also ruled out taking on hosting duties due to cost issues.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was focused on the 2032 Olympic Games.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was shocked by the 2026 cancellation before quickly allaying fears about the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
"The planning is well underway there," he told Sydney radio station 2GB.
"Everyone's looking forward to the Brisbane Olympics - they will be a very big deal."
But Mr Albanese said he was disappointed for the Australian athletes who wouldn't get to compete in the Commonwealth Games at home.
"Obviously, it's not something that we were anticipating, given that it's been in the wind for some time," he said.
Victoria was the only bidder for the 2026 Games, with five regional cities originally slated to host sporting events.
The state government had promised to pump $2b into the regions in housing, infrastructure and tourism spending.
It's the second time a Games host has dropped out in recent years, after the South African city of Durban lost the 2022 event and Birmingham had to step in and take over.
The last time a Commonwealth Games was completely cancelled was during World War II.
With PA
© AAP 2023