Birmingham ticket ballot opens

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is coming to Birmingham next summer, and from 14 to 30 July, people who live in the city can apply for tickets in an exclusive ballot by registering for an account on the Commonwealth Games website.

There are more than one million tickets available for the Games, with ticket prices starting from £8 for under 16s and from £15 for adults. There will also be £22 tickets available for every session throughout the Games, including all medal sessions and the opening and closing ceremonies.

With 286 sessions across 19 sports, including eight para sports, there is something for everyone, with tickets available for fan favourites: athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and netball, as well as a host of new sports including women’s cricket T20, basketball 3x3, wheelchair basketball 3x3, and mixed synchronised diving.

The ballot is open to the residents of Birmingham and the West Midlands, as defined by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). This includes people living in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, and Worcestershire. To check eligibility, use the postcode checker on the Commonwealth Games website. Tickets will also be available in the Main Ballot in September, which is open to everyone in the UK.

To coincide with the Birmingham and West Midlands ballot, Birmingham 2022 unveiled a newly refurbished basketball court in Summerfield Park in Ladywood, Birmingham. The court has been designed by Team England basketball player Kofi Josephs and local graffiti artist Zuke, who painted a bespoke, colourful mural onto the court.

The revamped space aims to inspire participation in the sport and is part of a wider to plan to ensure the Games leaves a lasting legacy in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Joining Kofi Josephs and Zuke at the launch were Cllr Ian Ward Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Sharon Thompson Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, Cllr John O’Shea Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks, Team England basketball players and representatives from local basketball clubs, Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street and deputy chair of the Birmingham 2022 board Geoff Thompson.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “With the opening of the priority ticket ballot, Birmingham 2022 is firmly within our sights on the horizon. I am delighted the people of Birmingham will be amongst those getting the first opportunity to buy tickets for 11 days of fantastic sporting action, taking place at a range of superb locations in their city and further afield. The Games will show off the best of Birmingham as the Proud Host City and this is your chance to secure your attendance at the largest event to be staged in our history.”