The 2022 Commonwealth Games is underway after a spectacular opening ceremony at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.
The Games were officially opened by Prince Charles on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II as many of the 4,000 athletes paraded in front of 30,000 spectators.
Look back on how all the action unfolded in our live blog.
Live updates
By Kelsie Iorio
Thanks for joining our live coverage of the opening ceremony
That's all from us for now!
But we'll be back bright and early tomorrow morning (Australia time) to catch you up on all the key sporting moments from overnight as well as bring you the evening session of day one live.
Catch you then!
By Kelsie Iorio
Set your watches
Because I know you're going to ask — the swimming begins at 7:30pm AEST tonight.
There are stacks of heats kicking off then and we'll see multiple Australians hit the pool.
Among them:
- Madi Wilson and Ariarne Titmus in the women's 200m freestyle
- Ellie Cole, Ashleigh McConnell and Emily Beecroft in the women's 100m S9 freestyle
- Jenna Forrester and Kiah Melverton in the women's 400m individual medley
- Abbey Harkin, Jenna Strauch and Chelsea Hodges in the women's 50m breaststroke
- Emma McKeon, Alex Perkins and Brianna Throssell in the women's 100m butterfly
- Cody Simpson, Kyle Chalmers and Matthew Temple in the men's 50m butterfly
- Mack Horton, Elijah Winnington and Sam Short in the men's 400m freestyle
- Joshua Edwards-Smith, Mitch Larkin and Bradley Woodward in the men's 100m backstroke
- Zac Stubblety-Cook and Matthew Wilson in the men's 200m breaststroke
And that's not even an exhaustive list. Big night (well, night for us, day for our athletes) ahead!
By Kelsie Iorio
The last time the Commonwealth Games were on, no one had heard of COVID-19
Wild, huh?
By Kelsie Iorio
So what happens now?
Well, in Birmingham, most of those athletes we just saw are off to bed.
The actual sport kicks off tomorrow there (which is this evening AEST).
Sports on day one include:
- Swimming
- Cricket
- Badminton
- Gymnastics
- Boxing
- Triathlon
- Hockey
- Lawn bowls
- Netball
- Rugby sevens
- 3x3 basketball
- Squash
- Table tennis
- Cycling
By Kelsie Iorio
Some fun facts about the production of this opening ceremony
It had:
- More than 500 audio elements
- 290kg of pyrotechnics
- More than 1,500 cast members
- Over 250 rehearsals
- And remember the giant bull? It was 10m tall and took 50 people to design and build it
By Kelsie Iorio
Do we have any blog friends from Tonga or Samoa?
Pita Taufatofua walked so these guys could run.
By Kelsie Iorio
The final baton bearers
ICYMI, the Queen's Baton ended its months-long journey by passing through the hands of some really big names:
- Tom Daley
- Alex Danson
- Kim Daybell
- Galal Yafai
- Max Whitlock
- and Commonwealth Games England’s president Denise Lewis, who passed it on to...
- Dame Louise Martin
- who gave it to Prince Charles
A moment for the spectacular bedazzled shirts the final baton bearers all wore. Where can I get one?
By Kelsie Iorio
How to watch the Games (and catch up on the opening ceremony)
I’d like to watch this on catch up with my kids.. who has the rights to the games this year?
- Which channel has the rights?
Channel Seven!
There will be heaps of coverage on their free-to-air channels and more on 7plus, which you can stream live or watch their catch-up highlights.
Plus, we'll be here blogging every day of the Games — come hang out with us, we love getting your comments about what you're watching and who you're cheering for.
By Kelsie Iorio
The ceremony is over — but the 2022 Commonwealth Games have officially begun
Well! What a production. What did you think?
By Kelsie Iorio
What a way to round out the show
Our on-ground reporter Amanda is LIVING for this:
"I feel very lucky to have a front row seat to a mini Duran Duran concert. As an 80s music fiend this is HEAVEN!"
Who agrees?!
By Simon Smale
Duran Duran!
Birmingham's favourite sons are here to play us out!
Simon Le Bon said "Duran Duran are honoured" to be a part of the "momentous" Commonwealth Games "in our home town.”
Roger and John Taylor echoed those views, with John saying that he was looking forward to getting some fitness tips from the athletes.
Good luck John, they're all too busy dancing...
By Simon Smale
Welcome to Birmingham
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra providing the backdrop to our next, and final sequence.
Stella and the other Dreamers are back with their shards of light, which they hold up to the tower that has provided a centre piece inside the stadium.
A sphere forms from those shards of light, which has cracks, symbolising the imperfections that have made the City of Birmingham the outstanding city that it is today.
The message, Welcome to Birmingham, is shown in lights above and within the stadium.
And to help welcome us to the city and close out the stadium, some very special guests.
By Kelsie Iorio
The Queen's message
As read by her son, Prince Charles:
"On October 7 last year, this specially created baton left Buckingham Palace to travel across the Commonwealth. Over the past 294 days it has carried not only my message to you, but also the shared hopes and dreams of each nation and territory through which it has passed as it made its way to Birmingham.
"Over the years, the coming together of so many for the friendly games has created memorable shared experiences, established long-standing relationships, and even created some friendly rivalries. But above all, they remind us of our connection with one another wherever we may be in the world, as part of the Commonwealth family of nations.
"Tonight, in the words of the founder of the games, we embark once again on a novel adventure here in Birmingham. A pioneering city which was drawn in and embraced so many throughout its history. It is a city symbolic of the rich diversity and unity of the Commonwealth. And one which now welcomes you all in friendship.
"My warmest thanks go to all those who have worked so hard to ensure the success of this particularly special sporting event. And I wish each athlete and team the best of luck. Your dedication particularly in recent times have been an inspiration to all of us.
"It now gives me the greatest pleasure to declare the 22nd Commonwealth Games open."
By Kelsie Iorio
Birmingham 2022 has:
- More medal opportunities for women than men for the first time ever
- The largest-ever integrated para-sport program
- The most sustainable program for a Commonwealth Games to date
By Kelsie Iorio
'Let us celebrate a dream come true'
We launch this more formal section of the event with an address from Louise Martin and President of the Commonwealth Games Federation Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee Board chairJohn Crabtree.
"After so much uncertainty, sadness and time apart, let us celebrate a dream come true, inspirational athletes back on the global stage right here in Birmingham and the West Midlands," Dame Louise Martin says.
By Kelsie Iorio
Australia is represented as the Commonwealth flag comes in
Swimmer Matt Levy is in the procession, alongside New Zealand cyclist Alison Shanks and representatives from the British Virgin Islands, Canada, Botswana and Dominica.
By Kelsie Iorio
The formalities
There's not that much longer to go for the 2022 opening ceremony — but the Oaths, the flying of the Commonwealth flag and the arrival of the Queen's Baton are among the most important parts.
These processes signify the official beginning of the games.
By Kelsie Iorio
In comes the host nation
Last Commonwealth Games, our Aussies had the chance to enter the opening ceremony on home soil — something I can only imagine is a pretty crazy feeling.
This time around it's England's turn, and it looks like they're making the most of it.
Team England has more than 400 competitors in this year's games over 19 sports.
Roving reporter Amanda Shalala says it's easily the biggest contingent of marching athletes out of all the nations, and the whole stadium is clapping along to We Will Rock You as the team enters.
By Kelsie Iorio
And to round out the parade — Europe
Cyprus comes in first for this block, followed by Gibraltar and Guernsey.
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are of course included in this section, as well as the Isle of Man, led out by cycling legend Mark Cavendish.
