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Gillon McLachlan plans to go out swinging, setting an ambitious agenda for his last few months as AFL chief executive.

McLachlan choked up on Tuesday as he announced he would leave the role at the end of the season.

With his wife Laura and their four children looking on, McLachlan spoke emotionally of his eight years in one of Australian sport's most powerful roles and said the game is in "incredible shape".

The 49-year-old plans to put an exclamation point to his 22 years at the AFL, completing a new broadcast rights deal as well as collective bargaining agreements for the men and women, confirming whether Tasmania will be awarded the 19th AFL licence and settling a new funding model for clubs.

"The reality is there are four or five huge things to get done this year," McLachlan said.

He then became emotional and had to pause as he reflected on his time in the AFL.

"It's an honour and a privilege to serve this game, the best game in the world," he said.

"The responsibility has never been lost on me. I feel good that the game is in better shape now than when I took over.

"I'm leaving now because it feels right - right for the AFL, right for the AFL, right for my family.

"It's clearly more complicated than that, but in simple terms, actually, it's not.

"I hope you take it the right way, (the AFL) is in incredible shape, on whatever metric you assess it."

McLachlan was appointed to replace Andrew Demetriou as CEO in April 2014.

There had been speculation that he would stand down during the past couple of years, but he resolved to stay on as the sport negotiated the huge challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the most significant achievements during McLachlan's time at the helm was the introduction of the AFLW competition, which will expand again to 18 teams for the seventh season beginning later this year.

He informed AFL chair Richard Goyder as they flew to Adelaide for the weekend's AFLW grand final of his decision to step aside.

"From my point of view and the Commission's point of view it would be correct to say that we're not happy with that decision but we are completely supportive of it, if you get that sense," Goyder said.

"Gill has always said to me that he wanted to go at the top of his game, at the time of his choosing and when the AFL was in as good a shape as it can be.

"And I think that's fair play and the Commission thinks that's fair play and certainly fair for him and his family.

"He's done an outstanding job."

Goyder praised McLachlan for his "ability to see around corners" in the last couple of years as COVID-19 posed unprecedented challenges.

The South Australian joined the AFL in May 2000.

Being promoted to CEO, his roles at the sport's governing body included general manager commercial operations, chief operating officer and deputy CEO.

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale -- who has has overseen the Tigers' recent period of dominance including premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020 -- and highly-rated AFL executive member Travis Auld are likely to be among the early favourites to replace McLachlan.

© AAP 2022

Regional Victoria will become the centre of the international sports universe after the state won a one-horse race to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The multi-sport event will be held across the state in four years' time, Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed on Tuesday.

It is the first Commonwealth Games to be awarded to a state or region, with only cities previously selected throughout its 92-year history.

Four hubs will be set up in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Gippsland - each with their own athletes' villages - and Shepparton is also slated to host events.

The regional centres will host the entire program apart from the opening ceremony, which has been locked in for the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Mr Andrews said the event would be like no other and showcase what the state has to offer.

"We're not just doing a re-run. It's not going to be the same as it's ever been," Mr Andrews told reporters at Mars Stadium in Ballarat, which will be upgraded.

The Games are estimated to inject $3 billion into the state economy, create 7500 jobs pre- and post-event, and boost sports and affordable housing infrastructure.

Mr Andrews said the cost of hosting the 2026 sports extravaganza will be revealed in the upcoming state budget, due to be released on May 3.

"It'll cost a substantial amount ... but I don't see it as a cost," he said.

No funding has been set aside by the federal government, in caretaker mode ahead of the May 21 election, but Mr Andrews would welcome any contribution.

Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin said an initial list of 16 sports has been selected, including T20 cricket and rugby sevens.

Further sports will be added later in the year.

Hosting rights for the 2026 event hit the market after the English midlands city of Birmingham replaced South Africa's Durban as host of the 2022 Games, to be held from July 28 to August 8.

With no other bidders, it was a considered a fait accompli Victoria would secure the event after the state government entered exclusive negotiations with the Games' governing body in February.

Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani said the formal announcement was the crowning glory of record-breaking events season in Melbourne.

"We have well and truly left the mantle of 'the world's most locked down city' behind us," she said.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the Victorian Liberals and Nationals supported the concept of a regional-focused Commonwealth Games in principle.

"We don't support just a blank cheque to do anything at anytime but what we do support is a sensible plan," he said.

The Games last came to Victoria in 2006, when Melbourne played host. It is the sixth time the event has been held in Australia, most recently on the Gold Coast in 2018.

WHERE 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES EVENTS WILL BE HELD:

Aquatics (Swimming, Para Swimming and Diving) - Geelong

Athletics and Para Athletics - Ballarat

Badminton - Gippsland

Beach Volleyball - Geelong

Boxing - Ballarat

Cricket T20 - Geelong, Gippsland, Ballarat, Bendigo

Cycling - Gippsland to Bendigo

Gymnastics - Geelong

Hockey - Geelong

Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls - Bendigo

Netball - Bendigo

Rugby Sevens - Gippsland

Squash - Bendigo

Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis - Geelong

Triathlon and Para Triathlon - Geelong

Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting - Bendigo

© AAP 2022

A teenage boy has been charged and others remain at large after another boy was stabbed to death in front of witnesses during a brawl at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Police believe more suspects were involved in what they described as a senseless and tragic targeted attack, involving two groups of teens.

Around 77,000 people attended the show on Monday when the brawl broke out at the crowded carnival ride area of the showground about 8pm.

The 17-year-old boy, who worked at the show, was stabbed in the chest and given first aid at the scene by police before paramedics arrived.

He died en route to Westmead Hospital and a 16-year-old boy remains in hospital with stab wounds to his leg.

Police Superintendent Danielle Emerton said a 15-year-old boy had been charged with carrying a knife in a public place, carrying a knife with intent and affray.

"We believe that there is someone who we still need to identify that is responsible for the stabbing," she told reporters on Tuesday.

"It may be one person, it may be a number of people."

Police believe there could be more weapons involved but have only seized one knife so far and are appealing for witnesses to help.

"There were thousands of people there, if you have information, please come forward," Supt Emerton said.

"It's a tragic incident. It's going to have affected a family. This is a senseless act. This is a family event at the Royal Easter Show."

A strike force has been established to investigate, with members of the Homicide Squad and Auburn detectives involved.

Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Murray Wilton apologised to patrons who witnessed the stabbing, saying it was a "horrific experience".

"Someone's lost their life at our house, and it's disgraceful," Mr Wilton said.

Closing the adult area of the carnival rides section on Tuesday was the right decision, he said, adding that security at the show would be ramped up with more police on site.

Metal detectors were used at the show but searching everyone and the bags of the 800,000 people who attended the show over 12 days wasn't possible, he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was "deeply distressed about this terrible incident".

"My kids will be going to the Royal Easter show," he said.

""I have no doubt the NSW police force and the relevant state authorities are moving very quickly and will be ensuring they're doing everything within their power to make sure the royal Easter Show is safe."

NSW Ambulance Acting Chief Superintendent Stewart Clarke said the incident was confronting for paramedics, and crowds of revellers who were visibly distressed.

Videos on social media captured parts of the incident, including footage of boys brawling in a busy area by a lit up a Ferris wheel, as groups of teenagers ran through crowds and a woman yelled, "Oh s**t".

Meanwhile, SafeWork NSW is investigating if the Free Fall ride should be closed for the remainder of the show after a four-year-old child was unrestrained while the ride was in operation.

A photograph showed the boy on the ride unharnessed when it was in mid-air, while three other children on the ride were restrained.

Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos said she had a zero-tolerance approach towards any operator who failed to provide the highest possible safety standards.

"The ride has been closed pending investigation," she said.

© AAP 2022