Countdown to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

The countdown is on! The Gold Coast passed on the baton and Birmingham, England is sprinting to the finish line with 28 July 2021 marking the one year countdown to the 2022 Commonwealth Games competition. Next July, visitors will be in for a big surprise as Britain’s second-largest city has transformed from outsider to medal winner, putting the vibrant city firmly on the international stage. 

Birmingham is situated in the West Midlands, located in central England and about 1.5 hours by train from London. The West Midlands is home to thriving cities such as Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. It’s also surrounded by some of the country’s top destinations. So while you’re in the neighbourhood, visit Stratford-upon-Avon, home to William Shakespeare, and Warwick Castle built by William the Conqueror. Take a jaunt on a narrowboat along the miles of canals or visit the world heritage site of Ironbridge. And for some cultural enjoyment, include Coventry in your visit, named the UK’s City of Culture 2021. 

Sally Balcombe, VisitBritain CEO commented:
“We have seen the positive impact that major sporting events such as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games can have on a country’s international standing. The upcoming Birmingham Commonwealth Games will drive visitors to explore the UK and stimulate spend in the tourism sector.” 

Neil Rami, West Midlands Growth Company Chief Executive said: 
“We want to use the international profile offered by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to take the West Midlands to the world, building on the region’s growing appeal to attract more tourists, businesses, events and investors. This celebration of sport, culture and innovation will offer a powerful foundation for the region to lead the UK’s economic recovery and resurgence post-pandemic.”

Brummies are passionate about their home, which has evolved from the centre of the Industrial Revolution to one of the most architecturally-futuristic cities in Britain. And now the rest of us get to see why the locals love it so much. 

Did you know?

• Birmingham boasts more than 30 miles (56 km) of canals
• With six million trees and more than 8,000 acres of parks and open space, Birmingham is one of the greenest cities in the UK and Europe. Its parks have won gold medals at the famous Chelsea Flower Show for the last six years
• Balti cuisine – a type of curry – is synonymous with Birmingham, with more than 100 balti houses. Many of these restaurants can be found in the city’s famous Balti Triangle
• Birmingham has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other UK city outside London, with Purnells, Simpsons, Adams, Opheem and Carters flying the flag for the city’s fine dining
• Cadbury’s was established in 1824. The chocolate factory in Bournville still operates today. Visit Cadbury World for a tasty bit of Birmingham’s history
• Birmingham Hippodrome is the busiest and most popular theatre in the UK with more than half a million visitors each year
• More than 36,000 people watch musical performances by the world famous City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) every year, more than any other UK orchestra
• For more than 250 years, Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter has been a national centre for jewellery design – producing an estimated 40% of the UK’s handmade jewellery.
• Birmingham is home to many past and present rock bands and musicians, including Ocean Colour Scene, Duran Duran, ELO, UB40, Black Sabbath and Laura Mvula

Think you know Birmingham and the West Midlands?

• For 5 myth-busting reasons to race to Birmingham in 2022, click here
• For 10 amazing things to do in Birmingham, click here
• For how to spend 48 hours in Birmingham, click here
• To find out how Coventry City of Culture 2021 will celebrate the city’s rich and eclectic cultural heritage, click here
• For a taste of Shakespeare’s England, try this Elizabethan-inspired itinerary  

For more information & images on the West Midlands, visit https://www.makeitwm.com/;  https://wmgrowth.com/tourism
For more information on the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games visit https://www.birmingham2022.com/
Images are also available on www.visitbritainimages.com