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World Netball has announced plans for the World Cup to take place every two years as they look to “future-proof” uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games.<\/b><\/p>\n
Netball has been an official Commonwealth Games sport since 1998 and has relied on the event to showcase the sport to a wider audience.<\/p>\n
The World Cup traditionally takes place on a four-year cycle with the next tournament set to be hosted in Australia in 2027.<\/p>\n
The long-term future of the Commonwealth Games is unclear after difficulties finding a host nation for the 2026 edition due to rising costs.<\/p>\n
World Netball also plans to introduce a men’s World Cup competition.<\/p>\n
“We need to be proactive about future-proofing ourselves given the uncertainty around the Commonwealth Games post 2026,” World Netball CEO Fiona Harold said on the decision to switch the World Cup to a biennial event.<\/p>\n
“These decisions allow us to control our destiny and it’s positive news for everyone.<\/p>\n
“As the International Federation, it is our job to sustain and grow the game over the long term.”<\/p>\n
The governing body says all future World Cups will take place in November to allow for consistency and avoid disruption to domestic leagues.<\/p>\n
They are also launching a new biennial event from November 2028 that will take place in non-World Cup years.<\/p>\n
Australia won the bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria but pulled out in July 2023 due to budget blowouts<\/a>.<\/p>\n Just a month later, the government of Alberta pulled its support<\/a> for a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, citing rising costs.<\/p>\n