The sport and venue programme for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham has been confirmed today (Friday), with sites across the city and the West Midlands set to host events.
The announcement was made during a sporting showcase at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, one of the key venue clusters for the Games, which are scheduled to run from July 27 to August 7, 2022.
With the exception of the new Aquatics Centre which is being built in Sandwell, all of the venues are already open, a key factor in Birmingham’s original bid.
Twelve of the 17 sports will take place at existing venues across Birmingham. Athletics and para-athletics will take place at Alexander Stadium, which is set for a significant upgrade before the Games. Arena Birmingham will host gymnastics, with the NEC campus to host badminton, boxing, judo, table tennis, weightlifting (and para powerlifting) and wrestling.
Birmingham University’s facilities will also be used to host hockey and squash events, with Villa Park, home of Aston Villa Football Club, to stage rugby sevens matches. A city-centre location for the 3×3 basketball and wheelchair basketball events are still being finalised.
Councillor Ian Ward, Birmingham City Council Leader, said: “Birmingham has a global reputation as a sporting city and this line-up of venues underlines just why we were selected to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“This city has a very strong track record of successfully staging major championships and athletes love competing in front of enthusiastic and knowledgeable Birmingham audiences. In 2022, the world’s top stars are guaranteed a warm welcome over what we can be sure will be 11 unforgettable days of sporting action in top-class facilities.”
Other venues across the West Midlands that will host events include Sandwell’s aquatics facility, Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield (triathlon), Cannock Chase (mountain biking), Coventry Arena (netball) and Royal Leamington Spa (lawn bowls). London’s Lee Valley VeloPark will host track cycling events on the tenth anniversary of the London 2012 Olympics.
John Crabtree, chairman of the Birmingham Organising Committee of the Games, added: “With the revamp of Alexander Stadium, plans for a brand-new facility at Sandwell and a tried and tested team of sporting venues across the West Midlands – all our collaborative efforts are focused on ensuring the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be a spectacular sporting showcase of the city and region.”
Birmingham was announced as the host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games last December. It replaced Durban as the host, with the South African city having been stripped of rights earlier in the year amid financial concerns.
Image: Birmingham 2022
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