The incredible building transformations in Birmingham ahead of the Games
Birmingham has had a makeover!
As we prepare to welcome the world to the West Midlands ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham City Centre has had an incredible transformation, with some of the buildings looking more colourful than ever!
Many of our best-known buildings have been decked out in the colours of the Commonwealth Games, including the Town Hall, Victoria Square and the Ringway Centre.
Take a look at Birmingham's Commonwealth Games transformation:
The floor of Victoria Square has had a HUGE facelift, with it looking bright and colourful!
Birmingham's Town Hall has been brightly coloured with banners featuring the Commonwealth Games
The Paradise Development has been adorned with the amazingly-bright Commonwealth Games colours.
It's fair to say the Copthorne Hotel's appearance isn't the most loved part of the city centre. Birmingham 2022 have given it a very colourful makeover - much better!
The Ringway Centre has had a makeover, making it really bright and colourful as the world descends on the West Midlands!
Now take a look at the venues for the Games:
It's not just the city's buildings that have got a new look, the Alexander Stadium has had a £72 million revamp ahead of the games.
The Stadium will be the centrepiece of the Commonwealth Games, holding the track and field events as well as the Opening and Closing ceremonies.
All but one of the Commonwealth Games events will be held in the West Midlands, here's exactly what is taking place where:
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.