July 23, 2025 • 9 mins
The Commonwealth Games are back baby!
After the 2026 games almost didn't happen, five countries are bidding to host the 2030 tournament - and we might even have a go at getting 2034.
NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk about whether we could host the Comm games without bankrupting the country.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
This is sports Talk on news Talk zeb will take
your calls of one hundred and eighty ten eighty after
our chat with Nicky Nickel, CEO of the New Zealand
Olympic Committee, and text as well. That's going to cost
you standard text charge, but I'm sure we can deal
with that. Nineteen nineteen z B z B is the
way to get straight through to the studio, right Nicky
(00:33):
nichol Work joins us now to discuss the revival of
the common Games. Good evening, NICKI.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Good evening, Darcy, thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
And thanks for joining. A tale today about the Commonwealth
Games and it fascinates me as a good news story
in the fact that there are so many nations now
that want to engage with this and this is after
pretty much the death rights for the Commonwealth Games over
the last few years. What what a turnaround this has been.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
It has been an amazing resurrection and and lockbased on
a lot of to be done, but it's exciting that
firstly Glasgow put their hand up and we still will
have a really important and material games. But the interest
post twenty twenty six to twenty thirty and thirty four
is already really strong and unprecedented in twenty thirty with
five countries already putting their hands up.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
What's driven this? Where does this come from? Well?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
I think it's a number of factors, but I think
one of them is international sport is still really important.
And you know, even for New Zealand it's the Commonwealth
Games is in our top three global sports and globally
the Commonwealth Games is in the top ten. So it's
still a material product in that international landscape. And I
also think as with Olympics, as with Commonwealth Games, we're
(01:47):
now coming up with models that make it much more
sustainable and so Glasgow started that process and I think
whoever gets twenty thirty and beyond that much more economically
attractive than when they've been in the past. So yeah,
I think that's all good for international sport.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Well, that's enormous for big multi sport events such as
in the Olympic Games, and that's got to be next
as far as sustainability, we all just don't have the
money anymore. You don't want a legacy of debt, and
I think you can attack that the Olympics in some way,
shape or form at the Commonwealth Games. I suppose leading
the pack in what they're doing there, and it's had
(02:24):
buying from all over the Commonwealth.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
You're absolutely right, and I think it's a little things like,
you know, we are going to have to change some
of the ways that we interact or that you know,
we participate in the Games. And for example, you know,
our teams will be staying in hotels this time around
in Glasgow. Not enough time to build a village. And
actually they don't want a village. They've got great infrastructure
on the back of twenty fourteen and they just want
(02:48):
to make sure that that you know, sporting of the
structure is used as often as possible. So again, being
innovative and creative has come up with some different options
and will embrace that. Our team will embrace it. And
the important thing for them is what happens, you know,
on the field or in the pool or on the court,
and that's still you know, sacrisanct and what was being
put together.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Well, please tell me they're not going to spend two
hundred million dollars on an opening ceremony, because to me,
that's still one of the most phenomenal wastes of money
at any big sporting event like that, they're going to
keep it down. I'm not still to get the mayor
and just cut a ribbon, but that's going to be
pulled back a bit, right.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
It's absolutely going to be paired back, and certainly Commonwealth sport.
You know, that's been the strong message from them is
you know, we don't want to see cities, countries investing
in that. There are too many other important things that
we all need across our communities and so it will
be a paired back. It's still will be special, it's
still be important, but it won't be you know, the
all singing and dancing that we've had in the past.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
It's called reading the room and it's very very important
in this day and age. So let's go to New
Zealand's hopes and dreams to hosting a calm game. This
is not locked and loaded. This is something that you're
still trying to reail in. The chances, the possibilities, how
you feel and where's your confidence level.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Yeah, we're really excited and we think New Zealand would
be amazing at hosting games. We look back at our
legacy from nineteen ninety those that are in the nineteen
seventy four, you know, just over fifty years ago, so
you know, they're really big milestones. You know, the twenty
eleven World Cup, the Women's World Cups that we had
through twenty two twenty three. You know, these are really
(04:24):
well regarded. You know, the community lifts, the volunteers that
get involved are just awesome events. So that's certainly our
aspiration and ambition. There's lots of work to be done
and we're still waiting on you know, the process to
be outlined from Commonwealth Sport, but at the moment we
are really optimistic that we can pull something really special
together for our athletes, for our sports, but also for
(04:47):
the New Zealand community.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
In the current climate, the economic climate, it's probably a
stretch to demand a handful of money from the government,
but I'm presuming they're going to be or not entirely
footing the bill, but their contribution will be large. How
do you justify that?
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Yeah, and that's certainly why twenty thirty we have not
entertained the idea. We think that's far too soon. We
all know how tough it's been for New Zealand. So
that's why twenty thirty four is the window that we
are looking at. And you know, we believe if we've
got you know, the economy going well and lots of
positive things, and it's a good investment and there'll be
a good return on that investment. You're right though, there's
(05:26):
other commercial revenue tickets, sponsorships, broadcasts that all go into
the mix as well, but there will still be you know,
the residual will still need to be found from within
the coffers and so we're trying to do everything we
can as well to understand what that could look like
and how affordable it can be.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
The CEO of New Olympic Committee, Nicking Nickel, joins us.
As far as the movable feast, that is the game,
we've seen lots changed, they've shrunk the table, they've taken
some of the dishes away. But is this likely to
carry on shape shifting throughout the next four, eight twelve years?
Is it very much up for grabs what the Commonwealth
(06:02):
Games will bring.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Yeah, so this time ran as you know, daus see
it's ten sports, which have got six sports with how
are disciplines within but certainly the Commonwealth Sports intent for
future games is that the blueprint will have at least
fifteen and they think somewhere between fifteen to eighteen sports
will be that sweet spot. And I think that gets
us back to the games of old and you know,
(06:26):
again is sustainable and get a word that's used often,
but it is important because we want that legacy to continue.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
And from an athlete perspective, we don't underestimate how important
this event is, as I'm not saying it's second to
the Olympics, but it is a stepping stone is it
not to that major event? And every athlete I've spoken
to talks of the import of performing in front of
a big audience in a particular set of times and boundaries.
(06:54):
It's huge for them to get used to that pressure.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
It is and the multi sport environment is different to
your individual sport World Championship, so that is one of
the things that our athletes tell us. So the Commonwealth
Games is fantastic opportunity for that. But then the Commonwealth
is particular sports that run really deep with quality of field,
so again from a high performance perspective, really important. You know,
if you're a summer racing in the Australians that's a
(07:17):
pretty good benchmark. And also we've got sports where, you know,
the Commonwealth some of the pinnacles, so our netball and
bowls and other sports like that that aren't on the
Olympic program. So and for some it is the pinnacle
of their career. So I mean, I think there's lots
of ways the Commonwealth plays into you know, what is
the importance of the Commonwealth in Commonwealth games in an
(07:38):
athlete's journey?
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Are we going to get the sevens back?
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Definitely my pre rugby, my rugby experience before this one,
I'm a big fan and yeah, and obviously the sevens
program with New Zealand rugby is phenomenal. It's you know,
we know how successful it is. So we are hopeful
next games to see sevens back in the Acclearia's on
the program for Los Angeles and I know the rugby
(08:04):
community we're looking really hard to support the team through
to there as well.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
And finally, Nick in as always, thanks very much for
your time, your availability. The other nations that are putting
their hat in for this, who are they? Who's the
most likely candidates to maybe challenge you guys in twenty
thirty four and pick it up or pick it up earlier.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Yeah, we don't have visibility of thirty four at the stage,
but for twenty thirty it's India, Canada, Nigeria and two
others that are still held confidentially. So you know, again
within that environment they will bring different strengths and different
opportunities and that'll be part of what will be voted
on at the Colonel Sport General Assembly later in the
year to pick the preferred or to agree the next
(08:47):
host location.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
All right, rubber stamped then and then we wait with
beta breath to see if you can reel it in
for twenty thirty four. CEO of NZC, Nicky Nickel, thanks
very much for your time. You look after yourself.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Thanks Darcy Thinks.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
This is sports Talk on news Talk zeb will take
your calls of one hundred and eighty ten eighty after
our chat with Nicky Nickel, CEO of the New Zealand
Olympic Committee, and text as well. That's going to cost
you standard text charge, but I'm sure we can deal
with that. Nineteen nineteen z B z B is the
way to get straight through to the studio, right Nicky
(00:33):
nichol Work joins us now to discuss the revival of
the common Games. Good evening, NICKI.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Good evening, Darcy, thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
And thanks for joining. A tale today about the Commonwealth
Games and it fascinates me as a good news story
in the fact that there are so many nations now
that want to engage with this and this is after
pretty much the death rights for the Commonwealth Games over
the last few years. What what a turnaround this has been.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
It has been an amazing resurrection and and lockbased on
a lot of to be done, but it's exciting that
firstly Glasgow put their hand up and we still will
have a really important and material games. But the interest
post twenty twenty six to twenty thirty and thirty four
is already really strong and unprecedented in twenty thirty with
five countries already putting their hands up.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
What's driven this? Where does this come from? Well?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
I think it's a number of factors, but I think
one of them is international sport is still really important.
And you know, even for New Zealand it's the Commonwealth
Games is in our top three global sports and globally
the Commonwealth Games is in the top ten. So it's
still a material product in that international landscape. And I
also think as with Olympics, as with Commonwealth Games, we're
(01:47):
now coming up with models that make it much more
sustainable and so Glasgow started that process and I think
whoever gets twenty thirty and beyond that much more economically
attractive than when they've been in the past. So yeah,
I think that's all good for international sport.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Well, that's enormous for big multi sport events such as
in the Olympic Games, and that's got to be next
as far as sustainability, we all just don't have the
money anymore. You don't want a legacy of debt, and
I think you can attack that the Olympics in some way,
shape or form at the Commonwealth Games. I suppose leading
the pack in what they're doing there, and it's had
(02:24):
buying from all over the Commonwealth.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
You're absolutely right, and I think it's a little things like,
you know, we are going to have to change some
of the ways that we interact or that you know,
we participate in the Games. And for example, you know,
our teams will be staying in hotels this time around
in Glasgow. Not enough time to build a village. And
actually they don't want a village. They've got great infrastructure
on the back of twenty fourteen and they just want
(02:48):
to make sure that that you know, sporting of the
structure is used as often as possible. So again, being
innovative and creative has come up with some different options
and will embrace that. Our team will embrace it. And
the important thing for them is what happens, you know,
on the field or in the pool or on the court,
and that's still you know, sacrisanct and what was being
put together.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Well, please tell me they're not going to spend two
hundred million dollars on an opening ceremony, because to me,
that's still one of the most phenomenal wastes of money
at any big sporting event like that, they're going to
keep it down. I'm not still to get the mayor
and just cut a ribbon, but that's going to be
pulled back a bit, right.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
It's absolutely going to be paired back, and certainly Commonwealth sport.
You know, that's been the strong message from them is
you know, we don't want to see cities, countries investing
in that. There are too many other important things that
we all need across our communities and so it will
be a paired back. It's still will be special, it's
still be important, but it won't be you know, the
all singing and dancing that we've had in the past.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
It's called reading the room and it's very very important
in this day and age. So let's go to New
Zealand's hopes and dreams to hosting a calm game. This
is not locked and loaded. This is something that you're
still trying to reail in. The chances, the possibilities, how
you feel and where's your confidence level.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Yeah, we're really excited and we think New Zealand would
be amazing at hosting games. We look back at our
legacy from nineteen ninety those that are in the nineteen
seventy four, you know, just over fifty years ago, so
you know, they're really big milestones. You know, the twenty
eleven World Cup, the Women's World Cups that we had
through twenty two twenty three. You know, these are really
(04:24):
well regarded. You know, the community lifts, the volunteers that
get involved are just awesome events. So that's certainly our
aspiration and ambition. There's lots of work to be done
and we're still waiting on you know, the process to
be outlined from Commonwealth Sport, but at the moment we
are really optimistic that we can pull something really special
together for our athletes, for our sports, but also for
(04:47):
the New Zealand community.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
In the current climate, the economic climate, it's probably a
stretch to demand a handful of money from the government,
but I'm presuming they're going to be or not entirely
footing the bill, but their contribution will be large. How
do you justify that?
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Yeah, and that's certainly why twenty thirty we have not
entertained the idea. We think that's far too soon. We
all know how tough it's been for New Zealand. So
that's why twenty thirty four is the window that we
are looking at. And you know, we believe if we've
got you know, the economy going well and lots of
positive things, and it's a good investment and there'll be
a good return on that investment. You're right though, there's
(05:26):
other commercial revenue tickets, sponsorships, broadcasts that all go into
the mix as well, but there will still be you know,
the residual will still need to be found from within
the coffers and so we're trying to do everything we
can as well to understand what that could look like
and how affordable it can be.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
The CEO of New Olympic Committee, Nicking Nickel, joins us.
As far as the movable feast, that is the game,
we've seen lots changed, they've shrunk the table, they've taken
some of the dishes away. But is this likely to
carry on shape shifting throughout the next four, eight twelve years?
Is it very much up for grabs what the Commonwealth
(06:02):
Games will bring.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Yeah, so this time ran as you know, daus see
it's ten sports, which have got six sports with how
are disciplines within but certainly the Commonwealth Sports intent for
future games is that the blueprint will have at least
fifteen and they think somewhere between fifteen to eighteen sports
will be that sweet spot. And I think that gets
us back to the games of old and you know,
(06:26):
again is sustainable and get a word that's used often,
but it is important because we want that legacy to continue.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
And from an athlete perspective, we don't underestimate how important
this event is, as I'm not saying it's second to
the Olympics, but it is a stepping stone is it
not to that major event? And every athlete I've spoken
to talks of the import of performing in front of
a big audience in a particular set of times and boundaries.
(06:54):
It's huge for them to get used to that pressure.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
It is and the multi sport environment is different to
your individual sport World Championship, so that is one of
the things that our athletes tell us. So the Commonwealth
Games is fantastic opportunity for that. But then the Commonwealth
is particular sports that run really deep with quality of field,
so again from a high performance perspective, really important. You know,
if you're a summer racing in the Australians that's a
(07:17):
pretty good benchmark. And also we've got sports where, you know,
the Commonwealth some of the pinnacles, so our netball and
bowls and other sports like that that aren't on the
Olympic program. So and for some it is the pinnacle
of their career. So I mean, I think there's lots
of ways the Commonwealth plays into you know, what is
the importance of the Commonwealth in Commonwealth games in an
(07:38):
athlete's journey?
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Are we going to get the sevens back?
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Definitely my pre rugby, my rugby experience before this one,
I'm a big fan and yeah, and obviously the sevens
program with New Zealand rugby is phenomenal. It's you know,
we know how successful it is. So we are hopeful
next games to see sevens back in the Acclearia's on
the program for Los Angeles and I know the rugby
(08:04):
community we're looking really hard to support the team through
to there as well.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
And finally, Nick in as always, thanks very much for
your time, your availability. The other nations that are putting
their hat in for this, who are they? Who's the
most likely candidates to maybe challenge you guys in twenty
thirty four and pick it up or pick it up earlier.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Yeah, we don't have visibility of thirty four at the stage,
but for twenty thirty it's India, Canada, Nigeria and two
others that are still held confidentially. So you know, again
within that environment they will bring different strengths and different
opportunities and that'll be part of what will be voted
on at the Colonel Sport General Assembly later in the
year to pick the preferred or to agree the next
(08:47):
host location.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
All right, rubber stamped then and then we wait with
beta breath to see if you can reel it in
for twenty thirty four. CEO of NZC, Nicky Nickel, thanks
very much for your time. You look after yourself.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Thanks Darcy Thinks.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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