Tasmania’s Liberal Party Premier Peter Gutwein has written to Commonwealth Games Australia chief executive Craig Phillips to officially register its interest to stage the event in 2026.

Tasmania’s Sports Minister Jane Howlett claimed that the state’s record over the past 12 months proved it was up to the task.

"Tasmania is well placed to be showcased on the international stage as part of hosting this major event," she told The Examiner newspaper.

"We are confident that we can work collaboratively with Commonwealth Games Australia on the opportunities Tasmania presents as either a host or co-host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games."

The announcement means that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), who had been searching for a host to follow Birmingham 2022 for several years, are suddenly in the unexpected position of having two potential bidders.

Insidethegames understands, however, that talks are at an advanced stage with officials in Victoria, who had signalled their plans to bid last month, and the CGF hope to enter a provisional agreement as soon as next week.

The Victoria proposal includes Melbourne, which hosted a successful Commonwealth Games in 2006, while Geelong and Ballarat would host events, with others to be held in Shepparton, the Latrobe Valley, Bendigo and their surrounding areas.

The late interest shown by Tasmania might at least help strengthen the CGF’s hands in the final round of negotiation.

Tasmania recently hosted an Ashes match between Australia and England for the first time after the fifth Test was moved away from Western Australia while it also hosted its first-ever Australian Football League (AFL) Finals last season.

That came on the back of the state hosting 14 AFL games, including the finals, as Tasmania helped the AFL complete its regular season commitments in the coronavirus pandemic.

The state is also due to host nine International Cricket Council Men's Twenty20 World Cup matches when Australia hosts the tournament later this year.

Any bid for the Commonwealth Games would see venues split between state capital Hobart and Launceston, the second biggest city in Tasmania 125 miles away.

The 19,500-capacity University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston would be upgraded to be the centrepiece of the Games. 

Tasmania is an island located 150 miles to the south of the Australian mainland, separated from it by the Bass Strait.

It is Australia's least populated state, with a population of just over half a million and has the second-smallest economy.

In contrast, Victoria has a population of more than six million and is the second-biggest economy in Australia.

Tasmania's opposition party Labor slammed the proposal.

"This is a pointless plan with absolutely no ability to deliver and any money spent on a bid would be money wasted," Labor Party spokesperson Shane Broad said.

"Peter Gutwein, in writing to the Commonwealth Games CEO, has not even thought through the most basic details like where would we accommodate thousands of athletes and spectators?

"Where could he possibly hold an Opening and Closing Ceremony of any size?"

The CGF hope to formally announce a host city to follow Birmingham 2022 by the end of next month.

"The CGF remains in positive dialogue with a number of Commonwealth Games Associations that are interested in hosting future editions of the Commonwealth Games," a spokesman told insidethegames.

"We are working hard to secure a host for the 2026 Games in advance of Birmingham 2022 and are confident this timeline will be achieved."