A Birmingham bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022 has today been endorsed by the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bid Company – on the same day the UK Government has said it was ready to work with cities interested in hosting the Games.
At a meeting on Friday (April 21), the Birmingham bid company reviewed a detailed feasibility study produced by a consortium led by consultants Origin Sports Group and decided it would be in the best interests of Birmingham and the wider region to put forward a proposal to stage the event, last hosted in England in 2002.
In recent years, Birmingham has proved itself as one of the most experienced and best equipped cities when it comes to hosting global sporting events.
Neil Snowball
The city had initially been preparing a study for the 2026 Games, but the plans were brought forward following the news Durban will no longer be staging the 2022 Games as planned in South Africa.
Exact details of the Birmingham feasibility study will remain confidential at this stage whilst the report is taken through the cross-party political and democratic processes of the city council.
The study will then form part of a public report to the council Cabinet in the coming weeks, at which point everyone with an interest in the proposed bid will be able to analyse its merits.
It is understood the merits of formal proposals from cities across the UK will be considered by the relevant Commonwealth Games bodies and the Government before the selection of a home country candidate bid to compete against rivals from other Commonwealth nations for the honour of staging the games.
The Commonwealth Games Federation is expected to make a final decision on the replacement 2022 host by “mid-summer” of this year.
Cllr Ian Ward, Chair of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bid Company, said: “We now have confirmation from our consultants that a Birmingham bid for the Commonwealth Games is feasible and has a strong chance of success.
“Given today’s announcement that the Government wants to hear from cities interested in hosting the 2022 Games, we are making it clear we have an interest in being considered for the privilege.
“The feasibility study, if endorsed by the city council as is hoped, puts us in prime position to move forward.”
Neil Snowball, Chief Executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club: “In recent years, Birmingham has proved itself as one of the most experienced and best equipped cities when it comes to hosting global sporting events.
“In addition to having world class sports stadia and arenas, we have seen substantial investment in the city’s infrastructure and Birmingham also enjoys an ever-expanding choice of city-centre hotels and accommodation, and has a thriving restaurant and dining scene.
“Our city has one of the youngest and most diverse populations in the country, we absolutely have the ability to host a spectacular Commonwealth Games here in Birmingham and we are delighted to support the bid.”
