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The Commonwealth Games have returned to England for the first time in two decades, with Birmingham hosting after Durban was stripped of the event amid financial difficulties. Here’s everything you need to know about this summer’s games.
What is it?
The 22nd Commonwealth Games, an international multi-sport event for athletes from Commonwealth countries. The Games have returned to England for the first time since 2002 in Manchester. However, they have been held in the UK at the time – Glasgow hosted the 2014 edition.
Where are the games held?
Birmingham is this year’s host city, with the revamped Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr hosting the athletics. Other events are scattered around the West Midlands, including swimming at the purpose-built Sandwell Aquatics Centre. Some cycling events will be held at Lee Valley VeloPark in London.
When do the Commonwealth Games end?
The Commonwealth Games 2022 started on Thursday 28 July and will end on Monday 8 August.
How to buy Commonwealth Games tickets
You can still buy tickets for many of the events here. Certain sports – including swimming, mountain biking, cycling’s tempo and road races, artistic gymnastics and both triathlon and para-triathlon are resale tickets only. There is availability for all other sports.
What is the TV show?
The BBC will bring you live coverage of every session with more than 200 hours of live coverage on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Three.
There will be up to 11 live broadcasts on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with extra coverage on the Red Button to ensure you can watch your favorite sport.
Which countries compete in the games?
Latest news
Dame Laura Kenny delivered Commonwealth gold for England in Monday’s scratch race and then revealed she had gone to bed on Sunday wondering if it would be her last competitive ride.
The five-time Olympic champion has endured a traumatic period since last summer’s Tokyo Games, with a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy.
She has spoken of cycling as her safety blanket, but the pressure of competition has taken its toll over the past few months and she was disappointed with her form at the weekend.
“Yesterday I thought it was going to be my last bike race,” Kenny said. “Everything about it I just didn’t like. Even before the start I didn’t know if I could do it.
“(But) I came into this morning in a completely different mindset and thought, ‘Of course you can do it.’ other than crossing the finish line first.
“When I changed my mindset, I just felt completely different.”
Roared on by a London crowd that reached decibel levels reminiscent of the 2012 Olympics, Kenny certainly drove like the Trott of old, saving plenty of speed for the final laps to take victory ahead of New Zealand’s Michaela Drummond and Canada’s Maggie Coles-Lyster
Tell me about the opening ceremony
The opening ceremony took place on Thursday 28 July at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium with a live crowd of 30,000 and millions watching around the world. The Queen, 96, is the head of the Commonwealth but was not present as Prince Charles entered instead. Pop legends Duran Duran headlined the music acts.
