ITV News Central Correspondent Mark Gough reports that people in Birmingham are getting into the Commonwealth spirit The Commonwealth Games are here as Birmingham prepares for a sporting extravaganza over the next 12 days. When is the Birmingham 2022 opening ceremony? The Birmingham 2022 opening ceremony officially kicks off the games at the Alexander Stadium at 8pm today. It will be the first time the stadium has been used during the Games, following its £72 million transformation. An estimated 30,000 people will be watching live, with millions more from around the world. How can I track it? Coverage of the 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony begins at 7pm. today (July 28) on BBC One and will run until 10.30pm. Who attends the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony? The Prince of Wales – accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall – will represent Her Majesty The Queen and officially open the Games at tonight’s opening ceremony. It will take place at the newly renovated Alexander Stadium in front of more than 30,000 spectators and a global television audience estimated to exceed one billion people. Who plays in the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games? The ceremony is expected to last two and a half hours, with a full program of performances to look forward to. The Prince of Wales – accompanied by The Duchess of Cornwall – will represent Her Majesty The Queen and officially open the Games. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is executive producing the opening ceremony. He is joined by a team of creative minds behind the evening, including Iqbal Khan, Artistic Director and Joshua ‘RTKal’ Holness, Music Director.
British music icons Duran Duran are set to headline the ceremony in the city where their 40-year music career began. Duran Duran to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games Credit: PA Tony Iommi, guitarist and co-founder of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath will also take to the stage in his hometown. Rising local stars Indigo Marshall and Gambimi will also be among the line-up for the evening. Mezzo-soprano and Birmingham Conservatoire graduate Samantha Oxborough will perform the National Anthem and a choir of over 700 people, from 15 choirs across the West Midlands, will also perform at the Opening Ceremony.
When will Team England flag bearers leave? The Commonwealth Games Parade of Nations will start with the host country of the previous Commonwealth Games (in this case Australia) and end with the host country of this year’s Commonwealth Games – Team England! What will the Games mean to the Midlands in the coming years? Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was “Birmingham’s time to shine”. Birmingham is set to stage the biggest sporting and para-sporting programme, with more medals for women than men for the first time at a major multi-sport event. £778m of public investment will leave a lasting legacy for the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands, it has been announced.