The DCMS report states that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games contributed almost 1.2billion to the UK economy. The report, one year on from the Games, advises that the economy had grown, new jobs had been created and future generations will see a lasting legacy in the West Midlands region.

Held between 28 July and 8 August 2022, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games brought together 6,600 athletes and team officials from across 72 Commonwealth nations and territories.

The Games not only contributed approximately £1.2 billion to the UK economy, with nearly half of that in the West Midlands alone but also created 22,380 full time equivalent years of employment.

CGF President, Chris Jenkins OBE, said: 

“Birmingham 2022 was a spectacular, record-breaking Games that created iconic moments on and off the field, uniting the Commonwealth through sport. The first major multi-sport event in history to award more medals to women than men, with the largest ever fully integrated programme of Para sport, it captivated more than 1.5 million attending fans and had a global TV audience with interest well beyond the Commonwealth nations.

“It was so much more than 11 days of sporting competition. The report outlines the positive impact and lasting legacy of the Games, which contributed £1.2 billion to the UK economy and £79.5 million in social value. It drove trade and investment, created jobs and boosted tourism, with visitor numbers to Birmingham and the West Midlands in 2022 the highest on record. From increased civic pride and social cohesion to promoting community sport participation, the Games were truly transformational.”

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was the biggest multi-sport event to be held in England since London 2012 and broke the record for ticket sales at a Commonwealth Games, which contributed to a 6 per cent increase in visitor numbers to Birmingham when compared to pre-pandemic levels. In addition, the Games received global TV views of 834.9 million, over 215 million digital views and 141 million interactions on social media.

The Games were delivered on time and under budget, with £70 million of surplus funding being reinvested in the West Midlands region as part of the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund to support business growth, inspire young people through programmes and projects, and financially support grassroots organisations.

Launching the report this week at SportAccord World Sport and Business Summit, hosted at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre, the UK Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew said:

“With over 1.5 million tickets sold, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was a record-breaking event that is still having a positive impact on the region two years on.

“This report shows that hosting major sporting events in this country boosts growth, creates jobs and has a lasting social impact for communities and some of the world’s best athletes will once again descend on Birmingham for the European Athletics Championships in 2026.”

The report also finds that the Games could lead to over £150 million social value in the longer term, which includes significant increases in wellbeing and earnings of those who were employed as part of the Games.

In addition, the West Midlands region saw a 27 per cent increase in Foreign Direct Investment projects between 2021/22 and 2022/23, almost 7 times higher than the rest of the UK (4 per cent).

The evaluation report also sets out that the Games had a positive impact on the regeneration of the Perry Barr area in the north of Birmingham. This includes transport infrastructure improvements and the upgrade to the Alexander Stadium, which is now open for community use and will also host the European Athletics Championships in 2026, the first time that event will ever have been held in the UK.

Click here to read the full report.