Birmingham Gears Up For 2022 Commonwealth Games

July 29, 2021 ctn_admin

Tokyo is in the sports spotlight right now. But in 12 months it will be Birmingham, England and the West Midlands region.

July 28th marked One Year To Go until the opening of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Next July, Britain’s second-largest city will welcome athletes and visitors from around the world, putting the city firmly on the international stage. Athletes from 71 nations are expected to compete in 19 sports over 11 days and there’s also a months-long cultural festival.

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.

“As part of the Commonwealth, Canada enjoys a warm and long-standing relationship with the UK,” said Paul Gauger, Visit Britain’s Senior Vice President, Americas. With the spotlight on Birmingham and the West Midlands, it is a tremendous opportunity to welcome back Canadians to this amazing region, as well as introduce it to a new audience by showcasing its welcome and diversity that can be explored through its arts & culture, food & drink and history & heritage.“

“Locals affectionately known as ‘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 35 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

Want to know more about Birmingham and the West Midlands?

• For 5 myth-busting reasons to race to Birmingham in 2022, click here
• To check out this Central England Bucket List, click here
• Introducing Coventry
• For more on the celebrations for Coventry City of Culture 2021, click here
• Shakespeare’s England – an Elizabethan-inspired itinerary

For more information on the West Midlands, visit www.makeitwm.com; wmgrowth.com/tourism; www.makeitwm.com/trade
For more information on the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games visit www.birmingham2022.com

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