The XXII Commonwealth Games are about to start, with the ‘Friendly Games’ bringing sport, culture and diversity to Birmingham. We know you have been training hard to prepare for this competition, but you can’t be at Birmingham 2022 without knowing the following facts:  

1. Third time in England   

England is hosting the Games for the third time since they started. The first time was in 1934 in London, while Manchester hosted the Games in 2002.  

2. Twenty-seven sports and para-sports  

The 2020 Games are welcoming 19 sports and 8 para-sports. This means more than 7,000 athletes, team officials and Chefs de Mission will be living in the Villages. There will be 286 competition events and 283 medal events. 

3. The number of athletes has grown more than 1,000 per cent since the first Games 

When the Commonwealth Games started in Canada in 1930, only 400 athletes and 11 countries participated in the first Games. Contrast that with more than 4,700 athletes and 72 nations and territories taking part in the 2022 Games – an increase of more than 1,000 per cent in athlete numbers. 

4. Biggest-ever women’s programme 

For the first time in history, a multi-sport event will have more medals for women than men. There will be 136 medal events for women and 134 medals for men. This builds on the Gold Coast Games four years ago, when the medal split was equal.  

5. First T20 cricket at the Games  

In Birmingham, the Commonwealth Games will include T20 cricket as part of its sports programme for the first time in its history - which also marks the first inclusion of women’s cricket. Eight teams will compete at the internationally renowned Edgbaston Stadium.  

6. More mixed events than ever 

There will be 13 mixed sports – more than in any previous Games – including synchronised 3m springboard diving and synchronised 10m platform diving, swimming relays and para-athletics relays.  

7. Largest para-sport programme  

Birmingham 2022 is hosting of the largest para-sport programme at any Commonwealth Games, with a total of 8 para-sports (Para Swimming, Para Athletics, Para Track Cycling, Para Lawn Bowls, Para Powerlifting, Para Table Tennis, Para Triathlon and Wheelchair Basketball). It is the first time in Games history that 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball has been included in the para-sports programme.  

8. Most sustainable Games yet 

The Commonwealth Games 2022 has pledged to be the most sustainable Games ever, creating a carbon-neutral legacy. It will reduce carbon wherever possible – and when this can’t happen, it will offset through credible, predominantly local carbon offsetting programmes, which include forestation and tree planting. Carbon-neutral travel and accommodation was organised for the Queen’s Baton Relay, while the Games are also promoting low-emission travel options and active travel such as cycling or walking.  

9. First Games with multi-site Athletes’ Villages

There was only one Athletes Village in previous Games. But Birmingham 2022 is special: it will be the first time that five villages (Birmingham Village, Warwick Village, The NEC Village, City Centre Village and London Village) will host athletes and team officials.