Birmingham confirmed as host of 2022 Commonwealth Games
Birmingham is to stage the 2022 Commonwealth Games after its bid was approved by organisers as the replacement for Durban, which was stripped of hosting rights earlier this year.
The £750m event is expected to be the country’s biggest sporting prioject since the London 2012 Olympics and will mark the third time that the Commonwealth Games has been hosted in Britain since the turn of the century.
“Today is a fantastic day for Birmingham, global Britain and our resurgent Commonwealth Sports Movement,” said Louise Martin, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).
Read more: Birmingham set to host 2022 Commonwealth Games
“With its rich history, cultural diversity, youthful dynamism and ambitious spirit, Birmingham embodies all that we cherish about the Commonwealth, and so the Commonwealth Sports Movement looks forward to collaborating with all the Games partners to showcase the city’s humanity and pride to a global audience over the coming months and years.
“The vast majority of the Games venues are in place, and with extensive experience in the UK of hosting successful major events – including Manchester 2002, London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 – the CGF looks forward to a truly spectacular Games that delivers not only for the 2.4bn citizens across the Commonwealth but the wider world, too.”
Birmingham was selected ahead of Liverpool as Britain’s candidate for the competition in September after the bidding process was reopened.
Durban lost its host status after its organisers ran into financial uncertainty.
Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: “The UK has a brilliant track record for putting on the biggest sport events in the world and it is great news that Birmingham has been selected to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“I am sure that we will put on an event that will make the country proud, leave a strong sporting legacy and strengthen relationships with our friends across the Commonwealth.”
Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and Manchester staged the event in 2002.
Next year’s edition of the competition is to take place in Australia’s Gold Coast.