Queen’s Baton Relay sets off from Birmingham Airport on epic 294-day journey across the Commonwealth

Today, The Queen’s Baton Relay will start its epic journey across the globe as the Baton departs from Birmingham Airport and heads to Cyprus – the first stop on the 140,000-kilometre relay (which is the equivalent of completing over 350,000 laps of Alexander Stadium’s running track!).

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities from across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games. The departure of the Baton at Birmingham Airport follows the launch of the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay in an exciting and special ceremony at Buckingham Palace yesterday, where Her Majesty The Queen placed her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton.

The Queen’s Baton will now visit all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth – an incredible journey which will see it reach Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania, before travelling the length and breadth of England during the final days of the Relay.

The Baton will eventually return to its hometown of Birmingham next summer, before completing its journey at the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on 28 July 2022.

The landmark moment at Birmingham Airport was attended by Birmingham-born, Team England netball player Layla Guscoth. With ambitions to pursue her medical career as a doctor alongside her commitments as a professional athlete, Layla worked on the frontline at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham during the height of the pandemic, and will be competing in next year’s Games. She was joined by the official Birmingham 2022 mascot, Perry.

The official send-off took place at one of the departure gates at Birmingham Airport. To mark the special occasion, the area was decorated with Queen’s Baton Relay branding to give a ‘Queen’s Baton Relay departures’ feel.

Ian Reid, Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham 2022, said: “The official launch of the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace was a resounding success. Now, it’s time to send the Baton onwards as it embarks on a 294-day journey, connecting communities in every corner of the Commonwealth, embracing unique cultures and sharing stories.

We hope this collective journey will ignite hope, solidarity and collaboration for the next generation, with these stories leaving us all inspired to take on the challenges that matter most. This is such an important milestone in the lead up to the Games and one that we should all carry with pride.”

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The departure of the Baton is a moment for everyone to be proud – the Host City will now be represented in all of the nations and territories within the Commonwealth, helping engage and inform people across the world about Birmingham and the Games.

“The Baton itself is a bold representation of everything that is great about the city and wider region, and I look forward to its return to the UK next year and its eventual arrival back in Birmingham.”

Birmingham 2022 will welcome 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories for 11 days of spectacular sport, from 28 July to 8 August 2022.

Read more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay and follow the Baton’s journey.