Meet our 'Commonwealth Games' family
The Kilbey's from Birmingham will share their experience of the games with us
Last updated 28th Jul 2022
This is our 'Commonwealth Games' family - the Kilbey's. They be documenting their experience of the games through vlogs and interviews over the next couple of weeks.
Mum, Medb, Dad, Peter and daughters Ruth and Lena are proud Brummies who are excited to experience all that the Commonwealth Games will bring to the city.
We'll get the Kilbey's views on that and other events as they happen.
Opening Ceremony tonight
Athletes representing all 72 Commonwealth Games Federations are expected to march in the opening ceremony of Birmingham 2022 at the Alexander Stadium tonight.
Today, the baton will be finishing it's journey across the Commonwealth Nations - making it's final stop in Birmingham, before heading over to Alexander Stadium.
Backed by £778 million of public funding, including £594 million from central government, Birmingham 2022 is the most significant investment in a major sporting event since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Prince Charles to officially open the games
The Prince of Wales - accompanied by The Duchess of Cornwall - will represent Her Majesty The Queen and officially open the Games at this evening’s Opening Ceremony, taking place at the newly-refurbished Alexander Stadium in front of over 30,000 spectators and an estimated global television audience of over one billion people.
Birmingham 2022 will be the quickest delivered Commonwealth Games in history - ready in just four and a half years instead of the usual seven. It also boasts the biggest para-sport programme in Commonwealth Games history and more medals for women than men for the first time at a major multi-sport event.
Birmingham is hosting 6,500 athletes and officials from 72 Commonwealth nations and territories, competing in 11 days of sport across the West Midlands. More than one million tickets have been sold for events across the West Midlands from Cannock Chase to Coventry.
All the Commonwealth Games 2022 venues
1) Alexander Stadium in Walsall Road, Perry Barr
The stadium had gone through major renovations ahead of the Games. The Alexander Stadium will stage the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and athletes will compete there in track and field events from 2nd August to 7th August.
2) Arena Birmingham in King Edwards Road, Birmingham
Arena Birmingham is one of the busiest, large-scale indoor sporting and entertainment venues in the world. The versatile venue has hosted 30 different sports in its history and will certainly be well used during the Commonwealth Games.
3) Cannock Chase Forest in Birches Valley, Rugeley
Cannock Chase Forest will host the mountain bike competition on Wednesday 3 August.
4) Coventry Stadium and Arena in Judds Lane, Coventry
Opened in 2005, Coventry Stadium can accommodate more than 32, 500 spectators. The stadium is home to Premiership Rugby Team Wasps and Coventry City FC. The stadium will host the Rugby Sevens, Judo and wrestling events.
5) Edgbaston Stadium in Edgbaston Road, Birmingham
The world-famous cricket stadium will host the debut of Women's cricket T20. The stadium has a capacity of nearly 25,000.
6) Lee Valley Velopark in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Abercrombie Road, London
This is the only venue outside the West Midlands. The velodrome staged the London 2012 track cycling competition providing some of the Games' most exciting moments.
7) The NEC in North Avenue in Marston Green, Birmingham
The National Exhibition Centre is the UK's largest exhibition venue and one of Europe's leading event destinations. The NEC will host the Netball event.
8) Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Smethwick
Unsurprisingly, the Aquatic centre will host swimming and diving events.
9) Smithfield in Southside, Birmingham
Formerly the site of Birmingham's Wholesale Markets, Smithfield will be the home of the beach volleyball and basketball 3x3 competitions during the Commonwealth Games.
10) Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield
Sutton Park will host the Triathlon event on Friday 29 July and Sunday 31 July.
11) University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre in Edgbaston
The venue will host the venue for the squash and hockey events during Games, as well as housing the principal Athletes' Village.
12) Victoria Park, Archery Road, Royal Leamington Spa
Victoria Park will play host to the Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls events during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
13) Victoria Square, Birmingham
Located at the heart of the city, Victoria Square will be the finishing line for the Marathon on Saturday 30 July.
14) Warwick Road Race in Myton Fields, Warwickshire
160 of the world's best cyclists are set to gather at Myton Fields for the road races, scheduled to be held on the penultimate day of the Commonwealth Games on Sunday 7th August.
15) West Park in Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton's historic West Park will provide a spectacular backdrop to the start and finish of the Cycling Time Trial on Thursday 4th August.