Birmingham Join Liverpool in Expressing Commonwealth Interest

March 14, 2017

Birmingham have confirmed an interest in hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The announcement comes after the South African city of Durban pulled were ruled out of hosting the event, with financial difficulties cited as the reason.

David Grevemberg, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said the African city did not meet the criteria set by his organisation, and the search for a new host city had already begun. The decision is expected by the end of the current year.

Liverpool and Birmingham have both indicated a desire to replace Durban as hosts, with both countries already having communicated an interest in hosting the 2026 Games.

Councillor Ian Ward, deputy leader of the Birmingham city council, said: “We are aware of the decision from the Commonwealth Games Federation to seek a new host for the 2022 Games.

“Here in Birmingham we are already in the advanced stages of producing a detailed feasibility study on what would be needed for a truly memorable Games in the city.”