Birmingham Joins Commonwealth Games Bidding

Birmingham will join the bidding to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Launching the official bid, the city highlighted the possible financial legacy of hosting the games, which includes creating thousands of jobs, helping local suppliers and boosting transport and housing plans.

Civic leaders added it was an opportunity to “showcase the very best” of the city for “huge economic impact”.

As part of the launch, it stated that the Glasgow games in 2014 generated £740m for the Scottish economy, with 690,000 more visitors.

Venues that could be used to host events include Villa Park, the Alexander Stadium, Edgbaston Cricket Ground, the NEC and the Genting Arena. It could also use existing venues outside Birmingham, including the West Bromwich Albion ground and Coventry’s Ricoh arena.

The city council’s leader, John Clancy said: “Birmingham is a fantastic sporting city and we have proven ourselves to be warm, welcoming and friendly hosts to a number of international events in recent years.

“In addition to the huge economic impact, these events showcase the very best of our city and wider region to the world.”

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Karen Bradley, said: “Birmingham is a city with a fantastic sporting pedigree.

“The Commonwealth Games transformed Manchester in 2002 and did the same for Glasgow in 2014, so it’s no surprise that Birmingham is interested in hosting the Games in 2026.”

Candidates have to notify their intention to bid by March 2018, and the winner will be announced in November 2019.

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