Who's going to step up and host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, after the Australian state of Victoria shocked the sporting world this summer by announcing it was withdrawing as host because of cost concerns?
The Australian Gold Coast has now also withdrawn its bid and Birmingham says it won't step in to host the quadrennial international multi-sport event – which mostly consists of territories of the former British Empire – in 2022.
But could the North of England now come to the rescue with an integrated bid hosted across the region's cities, with athletics in Gateshead, gymnastics in Liverpool, swimming in Sheffield, cycling in Manchester, cricket in Leeds and rugby sevens in Hull?
That's the intriguing idea that's being pondered by some in the region with the backing of Leeds' own double Olympic and Commonwealth Games triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee.
But what do you think of the idea? Have you say here in our poll.
Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, Mr Brownlee describes how by spreading the cost across cities and councils and by using existing venues in the North of England, a more cost-effective solution could be found, either for 2026 or 2030.
“That’s the direction of travel for multi-sport events", said Brownlee, recently elected chair of the European Olympic Committee’s Athlete Commission. "There are all kinds of ideas such as using existing venues and accommodation. That seems the pragmatic approach to making these events sustainable in the future.
“And we’re trying to have a more combined North of England region, we talk about the Northern Powerhouse. There’s potential for any of these organisations to pragmatically look at it as a region, one where there are appropriate venues, and look at putting it on.
“I think it would be fantastic if it was talked about. Right now I don’t know what the logistics are but as a concept I think it’s worth exploring.”
It's only two decades ago that Manchester hosted the 2002 Commonwealth Games, which prior to the 2012 Summer Olympics was the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in the UK with 281 events across 17 sports.
The event was considered a success for the host city, forming the main catalyst for the widespread regeneration and heavy development of Manchester and bolstering its reputation as a European and global city internationally.
If a Northern bid were to be put in, the closest thing to an athletics stadium, traditionally the focal point of a Games, would be the existing facility at Gateshead.
Birmingham’s successful hosting of the 2022 Commonwealth Games was centred around a refurbished athletics stadium in Perry Barr.
Those Games cost close to £1bn after Birmingham and the UK Government stepped in in 2017 to save the event after Durban pulled out and the up-front bill was split 75-25 between the UK government and Birmingham City Council.
An obvious argument against a joint bid is the use of public money to support it at a time when local authorities are on their knees.
But James Mason, CEO of the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, says big sports clubs and the private sector could help put the event on and cites the success of the Tour De France Grand Depart in Yorkshire in 2014.
“One of my mentors used to say if you do nothing, nothing generally happens,” he says. “Whereas if you do things, turn over a few rocks, have a few conversations and see where things might lead, you might still come back to the conclusion that it can’t be done logistically, timing, cost etc, but you just never know."
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: “It is disappointing news for both fans and athletes that a 2026 host is yet to be confirmed.
“We hope that the Commonwealth Games Federation explores all possibilities so that athletes have the chance to compete and everyone has the opportunity to enjoy this incredible event.”