Birmingham Set To Win Bid For 2022 Commonwealth Games

Birmingham is set to be officially announced as the host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games tomorrow (21 December).

Multiple reports state a deal between the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the DCMS and Birmingham City Council has been struck, with a press conference scheduled tomorrow at Perry Bar to be attended by CGF President Louise Martin.

Birmingham was the only interested city to submit a bid before the original deadline of 30 but was deemed "not fully compliant" by the CGF. The body extended the deadline to 30 November to encourage fresh bids from Birmingham, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Victoria in Canada and a potential Australian entry. Earlier this month the CGF reiterated it needed "further clarification on issues" before choosing a host city.

Domestically, Birmingham saw off competition from Liverpool to become the UK’s candidate for the Games, with the 11-day event valued at £750m to the economy. The win will see major development underway across the city’s sports facilities, including the upgrade of Alexander Stadium at Perry Barr, which will make it the UK's largest permanent athletics stadium, and a new competition-standard pool in Sandwell.

The bid was supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority, several business investment groups and the city’s sports industry, helping to resolve issues over hotel tax and land ownership issues around the athletes’ village site. The government will pay 75 per cent of the bill, with the rest coming from the Birmingham backers. The council has pledged a hotel tax to raise money without tapping into the its main services budget.

The South African city of Durban was originally awarded the Games in 2015 but was stripped of the event in March this year because it did not meet the criteria.

The Games were last held in England in 2002, in Manchester.

Source: leisureopportunities.co.uk