After a series of last-minute bids and financial issues, the Commonwealth Games make their way to Birmingham, but doubts persist about their future
The 2022 Commonwealth Games are set to begin in Birmingham on Thursday, but the path to this moment was far from smooth. In 2014, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) struggled to find a viable host city, leading to an emergency meeting just two months before the application deadline. Edmonton and Durban eventually stepped forward, but both faced challenges. Edmonton withdrew due to funding concerns, and Durban was later stripped of the Games after financial discrepancies were uncovered.
After the British government took over in 2017, Birmingham was chosen to host the event at a cost of £800m, marking a significant moment for the city but raising questions about the financial viability and relevance of the Games in today’s world. While initially conceived as the “British Empire Games” to foster goodwill across the empire, the Commonwealth Games now face criticism for their historical ties to colonialism. Despite Birmingham’s role in stepping in to save the Games, concerns remain about their place in the modern era, with many questioning the long-term return on investment and whether such expensive mega-events are still worthwhile in a changing global landscape.