More than 1.2m sales mean the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham will be the best attended ever. The total beats Glasgow 2014 – where 1m seats were snapped up – and Australia’s Gold Coast with 1.02m ticket sales in 2018.
Organisers who unveiled the athletes’ village yesterday told how 41,000 people had applied for the 14,000 volunteer roles. Another 5,000 summer jobs have been taken in the past 50 days in time for the arrival of the first of 5,000 competitors.
Around 3,200 athletes and officials will be housed in the Games village at the University of Birmingham’s Vale campus. They will enjoy a giant screen, ‘silent discos’, ice baths, Nintendo games and free condoms.
Henry Starkey, the village entertainment manager, said: “The silent discos mean you wear headphones to listen to music while you dance.
“That way you don’t disturb athletes who may need an early night.”
The 72 nations will compete at 15 different venues in 280 medal events from July 28 to August 8, seven in the city of Birmingham. Kenya’s chef de mission Humphrey Emonyi said: “It is really exciting.
“We have 126 athletes, and it will be an experience to savour.”
He expects his country’s dominance in middle distance running to be put to the test, while Barbados team chief Cammie Burke is looking forward to the cricket. A host of stars are set to take part, including Scotland’s new world 1500m champion Jake Wightman.
Duran Duran will headline the opening ceremony next Thursday.
