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Birmingham chosen over Liverpool to lead England’s bid for Commonwealth Games 2022

September 7, 2017

Birmingham has today been chosen over Liverpool for England’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has backed the West Midlands city, whose plan to create the UK’s largest permanent athletics stadium was central to its bid.

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: “While both bids were of high quality, Birmingham’s bid was considered particularly strong on its management of risk, its high quality existing venue infrastructure and its plans for a long term sporting legacy.

“The government will look at the final bid proposal from Birmingham and decide if a formal bid will be submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation.

“We need to be completely satisfied that the bid offers overall value for money from hosting the Games and that a strong economic and sporting legacy can be delivered from it.”

Ian Ward, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bid Committee, has welcomed the decision: “This is a great endorsement by the UK Government of Birmingham’s credentials to host the Games and recognition of the city’s resolve to deliver a memorable event.

“We appreciate that it was a very close decision and that Liverpool pushed us all the way with a very compelling proposal. This is not the end of the journey and we look forward to working with the Government as it makes its final decision to support a UK Candidate City.”

Victoria Square in Birmingham City Centre showing the Council House and the River artwork by Dhruva Mistry.

Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands, added: “The regional support of the Midlands was a key determining factor and I want to thank all those regional agencies and organisations that have worked hard over the last six months to get us to this position. We will make the Commonwealth proud.”

Malaysian city Kuala Lumpur is expected to be Birmingham’s main rival. Durban was initially awarded the event in 2015 but the Commonwealth Games Federation stripped the South African city of the right to host in March.

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