Birmingham wins latest battle in bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Birmingham has won the latest stage of its battle to be the UK candidate for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The city had been competing with Liverpool for the right to host the event.

But plans to revamp the Alexander Stadium and utilise the region’s existing sporting infrastructure has led to Birmingham getting the nod.

Cllr Ian Ward, Chair of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bid Committee, said: “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.”

Birmingham’s bid was also boosted after the USA and Jamaican athletics teams opted to host training camps in the city ahead of the 2017 IAAF World Championships.

But Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said the news would be boost areas beyond Birmingham’s borders.

“The regional support of the Midlands was a key determining factor,” he said. “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.”