Venues for Birmingham Commonwealth Games events unveiled
The organisers of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham have confirmed the 17 sports and 12 venues – including in Cannock Chase and Sandwell – that will definitely be used for the 11-day event.
The programme includes all of the Commonwealth Games Federation’s mandatory sports plus 3x3 basketball, diving, mountain biking, para-triathlon, rhythmic gymnastics, track cycling, track para-cycling and wheelchair basketball from the list of optional sports. Archery, beach volleyball, cricket, para-table tennis and shooting are not currently on the list but may be added after a review of costs and athlete numbers is completed in the spring.
Twelve of the 17 sports confirmed at a launch event at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre on Friday will be staged in existing venues across the city.
The NEC itself hosts boxing, judo, table tennis, weightlifting and wrestling, while badminton takes place in the NEC Arena. Gymnastics’ home will be Arena Birmingham, while Birmingham University will stage the hockey and squash, with the rugby sevens at Villa Park.
The athletics and opening and closing ceremonies will be at an upgraded Alexander Stadium.
The triathlon will be staged at Sutton Park and Sandwell’s new pool is hosting the diving and swimming.
In a bid to keep costs down and spread the benefits of staging the Games, the lawn bowls will take place at Royal Leamington Spa, Cannock Chase hosts the mountain biking and the netball competition will be hosted by the Coventry Arena.
The only venue not in the West Midlands will be London’s Lee Valley VeloPark, which hosts the track cycling a decade after it was one of London 2012’s most popular stages.
The Games will take place from July 27 to August 7 and the event’s one million tickets will go on sale closer to 2022.
