More than 1.5 million fans filled venues to watch this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and across the Midlands.
Organisers also announced that 30,000 fans packed out the specially revamped Alexander Stadium for 12 consecutive athletics sessions. The total number of 1.5 million tickets sold is higher than the projection set out by the organising committee.
The Commonwealth Games ran between July 28th and August 8, with over 4,500 athletes competing across a number of sports. It also created 40,000 jobs and volunteering opportunities with millions of pounds invested into supporting people being physically active.
Commonwealth Games Federation president Dame Louise Martin DBE said: “We are emerging from one of the most challenging periods in modern history, where the Covid-19 pandemic has kept us apart. Birmingham 2022 proved to be a special moment when we reunited, when the power of sport to connect us came into sharp focus.
“Not only have we witnessed some iconic sporting moments, we’ve also enjoyed the warmest of welcomes from the people of Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond who have made the Games so much more than just a sporting competition.
“Birmingham has put on a Commonwealth Games unlike any we’ve seen before. The passionate support across all 19 sports created an atmosphere which spurred our Commonwealth athletes onto new heights.”
Commonwealth Games Minister Nigel Huddlestone added: “It’s been a record breaking Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. We’ve raised the bar on inclusivity and diversity with more women’s medals than men’s and the biggest para sport programme in the Games history.
“Our home nation athletes have made us all proud, cheered on by an army of 13,000 volunteers and some of the biggest crowds the city has ever seen with more than 1.5 million tickets sold. The Games truly have showcased the best of Birmingham and the West Midlands to the world.”