Signage in Birmingham ahead of the Commonwealth Games (PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)The Commonwealth Games 2022 will kick off tonight with an opening ceremony in Birmingham, which is set to be a ‘mind-blowing’ affair, orchestrated by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
The competition will see over 6,500 athletes compete in 19 different sports, and it will get started with an opening ceremony, which will take place at the Alexandra Stadium - which is the venue that will also host the track and field events.
Just over 10 years on from Danny Boyle’s memorable opening ceremony to the London Olympics, the creative team behind the show, led by Knight, are expected to highlight the talent and diversity of the West Midlands in a show that will be around three hours long.
Knight’s team includes novelist Maeve Clarke as head writer, rapper Joshua “RTKal” Holness as music consultant and award-winning theatre director Iqbal Khan.
Duran Duran and Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi have already been announced as musical acts in a cast of 2,500.
“Birmingham is a city that doesn’t like to shout too much, we don’t get too big for our boots. It’s funny but it doesn’t really help to sell our city,” added Knight.
“The idea that you are putting together a show that will be live, in front of a billion and half people, is terrifying but also a great challenge.”
At its heart will be the Parade of Nations, as participating athletes from countries across the Commonwealth walk into the stadium under their flag. Diver Jack Laugher and weightlifter Emily Campbell have been chosen as the flag bearers for England.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the opening ceremony.
When is the Commonwealth Games 2022 opening ceremony?
Coverage of the Commonwealth Games 2022 opening ceremony begins at 7pm on Thursday 28 July on BBC One, and runs until 10.30pm.
How can I watch the Commonwealth Games 2022 opening ceremony?
The opening ceremony will be shown live on BBC One from 7pm. It will also be available to stream live on the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.
Where can I buy tickets for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony?
Tickets for the Commonwealth Games are currently on sale at Birmingham2022.com.
The prices vary depending on the five ticket categories for each event with category A the most expensive and category E tickets the least expensive.
Tickets for the opening ceremony are priced at £22 to £290.
What’s the full schedule for the 2022 Commonwealth Games?
- Athletics and Para Athletics: Tuesday, August 2–Sunday, August 7
- Badminton: Friday, July 29–Monday, August 8
- Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball: Friday, July 29–Tuesday, August 2
- Beach Volleyball: Saturday, July 30–Sunday, August
- Boxing: Friday, July 29–Thursday, August 4, Saturday, August 6–Sunday, August 7
- Cricket: Friday, July 29--Sunday, July 31, Tuesday, August 2–Thursday, August 4, Saturday, August 6–Sunday, August 7
- Cycling–Mountain Bike: Wednesday, August 3
- Cycling–Road Race: Sunday, August 7
- Cycling–Time Trial: Thursday, August 4
- Cycling–Track & Para Track: Friday, July 29–Monday, August 1
- Diving: Thursday, August 4–Monday, August 8
- Gymnastics–Artistic: Friday, July 29–Tuesday, August 2
- Gymnastics–Rhythmic:Thursday, August 4–Saturday, August 6
- Hockey: Friday, July29–Monday, August 8
- Judo: Monday, August 1–Wednesday, August 3
- Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls: Friday, July 29–Saturday, August 6
- Marathon: Saturday, July 30
- Netball: Friday, July 29–Sunday, August 7
- Para Powerlifting: Thursday, August 4
- Rugby Sevens: Friday, July 29–Sunday, July 31
- Squash: Friday, July 29–Monday, August 8
- Swimming and Para Swimming: Friday, July 29–Wednesday, August 3
- Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis: Friday, July 29–Monday, August 8
- Triathlon and Para Triathlon: Friday, July 29, Sunday, July 31
- Weightlifting: Saturday, July 30–Wednesday, August 3
- Wrestling: Friday, August 5–Saturday, August 6
