Golf, BMX and coastal rowing will make their Commonwealth Games debuts, while shooting will return to the program when Victoria hosts the 2026 edition.
The full list of sports to feature at Victoria's regional games was released on Wednesday, with track cyclists also breathing a sigh of relief after the discipline was initially left off the list.
Coastal rowing requires competitors to battle the elements of open water, including tidal currents and waves.
Australian shooters won three golds among nine medals, while India collected seven golds, at the 2018 Gold Coast Games before the sport was removed from the program for Birmingham 2022.
Cross-country mountain bike, 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball have also been added to a program that features 20 sports and 26 disciplines, including nine integrated Para sports.
Victoria 2026 officials are hopeful of adding Para disciplines in golf, coastal rowing and the cycling road race.
Golf returned to the Olympics in 2016 after a more than 100-year hiatus, while rowing - albeit on still water - has long been a source of Olympic silverware for Australia.
Golf Australia boss James Sutherland encouraged innovative thinking when settling on a competition format, which along with a venue is yet to be confirmed.
"This announcement validates golf's increasing popularity and the enormous growth that the sport has enjoyed over the last three years," he said.
"The Commonwealth Games in 2026 will provide a huge platform to further demonstrate golf's appeal as a sport for all."
Shepparton will host men's and women's time trials for the cycling road race, as well as the BMX competition, with the full program of event locations to be announced in coming weeks.
AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner thanked "the many people in and around AusCycling who provided their passion and expertise to help secure this outcome".
''We were always confident that these extra events and disciplines would add spectacular action, drawing power and medal potential to the Games,'' she said.
FULL LIST OF VICTORIA 2026 SPORTS
* Aquatics (Swimming, Para Swimming and Diving); Athletics and Para Athletics; Badminton; Basketball (3x3 and 3x3 Wheelchair); Boxing; Beach Volleyball; Coastal Rowing; Cricket T20 (Women's); Cycling (BMX, Mountain Bike, Road, Track and Para Track); Golf; Gymnastics (Artistic); Hockey; Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls; Netball; Rugby Sevens; Shooting and Shooting Para Sport; Squash; Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis; Triathlon and Para Triathlon; Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting.
Australian Associated Press
