Birmingham 2022 launches ‘Get Set for Games’ - top tips on how the city will run during the Commonwealth Games

Birmingham 2022 and Commonwealth Games Partners have officially launched their ‘Get Set for the Games’ programme, providing information for businesses and residents to mark six months to go until the Commonwealth Games.

The programme sets out to encourage people to plan ahead for the city hosting of the largest event ever held in the region.

BirminghamWorld went to meet the team to find out more about what we can expect in our day to day lives in the city once the games begin, with more than one million people expected to come and watch the 11 days of sport taking part in venues across the city.

‘There will be small changes in access to the city to accommodate all the visitors’

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, says: “So what people have got to look forward to? All sorts of things! Twelve days of sport. So there’s still tickets, if they want to get them - very reasonably priced.

“There’s still opportunities to volunteer for the opening ceremony, if you fancy a bit of dance. There’s still opportunities to get trained up for the games - whether you want to be in hospitality, or you want to be in stewarding - so there’s opportunities there.

“Then if you’re running a business, we’ve got a million visitors. So if you’re in a cafe or restaurant, or a bar or a hotel, that’ll be bringing customers in.

“So there’s all that and in terms of changes for the city, I mean, the critical thing to get across is we want to run the city as normal. We’re not saying to everyone we’re closed, we’re actually saying we’re open for business, going back to things normally. So inevitably, there have to be some small changes just to accommodate all those visitors.”

‘It’s the biggest event we’ve ever played host to’

Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, says: “The preparation is going remarkably well. The stadium is on time and on budget, as is the Aquatic Centre just over the border in Sandwell.

“We’re planning to deliver full venues for the games themselves. We’re keeping a watchful eye on the virus, you know, you can’t be too careful. And my advice, as the restrictions relax, to people would be to still wear a mask if you are in a crowded environment, and just be sensible about what you’re doing. We need to keep on top of this. So we can live normal lives in the future.

“But our plans for the Commonwealth Games are full stadia and we are looking forward to welcoming over a million visitors to this city for what is the biggest event we’ve ever played host to.”

‘There’s lots of ways to get involved in the Commonwealth Games’

Ian Reid, CEO of Birmingham 2022, says: “Maybe the final point is there is still lots of ways to get involved. Lots of tickets left if you just want to come and watch. You want to be in the opening ceremony, which I think is a huge opportunity, you can be a dancer, you can be an acquire, look in the website - that is available to you. “

“There’s just lots of jobs available. So if you’re looking at the games, thinking what’s in it for me, get on the website - lots of ways to get involved to help us deliver this.”

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