Winning the right to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games would cement Victoria's reputation as Australia's sporting powerhouse, Premier Daniel Andrews says.
Mr Andrews on Wednesday confirmed his government had entered exclusive negotiations with the Commonwealth Games Federation to host the games in four years' time.
The state government and Commonwealth Games Australia will now develop its hosting submission.
"This exclusivity speaks to the fact that we're the sporting capital of our nation," Mr Andrews said.
"We have all that is needed to make an event like this a fantastic success for us and everybody right across the Commonwealth."
But Mr Andrews said the games would not be centred on Melbourne, with a number of regional cities and towns set to host many different sporting events.
"It's something new, it's something unique, it's something very special," the premier said. "Regional Victoria will be better off for this."
The games would drive investment in the state's infrastructure and tourism sectors, Mr Andrews added.
Victorian opposition leader Matthew Guy showed his support for the announcement, tweeting the games would be important for the state's COVID-19 recovery.
The Commonwealth Games Federation will assess Victoria's submission before naming the host for the 2026 games.
The Victorian bid comes after Tasmania last week put its hand up to host or co-host the 2026 games.
Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein wrote to Commonwealth Games Australia to formally request the island state be considered.
Tasmania recently hosted the fifth men's Ashes cricket Test and was given two elimination AFL finals last season due to mainland COVID-19 restrictions.
Asked about the Tasmania bid, Mr Andrews said he would not comment on other states.
"I'm here talking about our state and our plans and our vision to bring perhaps the biggest event ever to regional Victoria," Mr Andrews said.
The games last came to Victoria in 2006, when Melbourne played host.
