Birmingham has been selected as the preferred UK candidate city for a potential bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The decision comes after an independent assessment panel including Commonwealth Games England Chief Executive Paul Blanchard and officials from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport made the recommendation for Birmingham to Ministers.

The government, in consultation with Commonwealth Games England, will now make a final decision if the UK will submit a formal bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation, with Birmingham as the proposed candidate city.

This decision will be made based on whether Birmingham’s proposals for the 2022 Commonwealth Games offer overall value for money for the UK taxpayer.  If Birmingham’s bid passes this final stage of assessment then a formal bid will be submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation in the coming weeks.

On hearing the news, Paul Bush OBE Chair of Commonwealth Game Scotland said: “Many congratulations to Birmingham on their successful bid as England’s candidate city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“Scotland is extremely supportive of an England bid for the Games, as we believe this would help to maintain the momentum for sport across the UK on the back of the huge success of London 2012, Glasgow 2014, the 2017 World and Para Athletics Championships and with the Glasgow 2018 European Championships still to come.

“We very much hope that England’s intention to bid is confirmed by colleagues at Commonwealth Games England and the British Government and we look forward to an early decision by the Commonwealth Games Federation to enable everyone to get behind the Games and capitalise on the exciting opportunities it would bring for all the home countries.”

While both bids were of high quality, Birmingham’s bid was considered particularly strong on its management of risk, its high quality existing venue infrastructure and its plans for a long term sporting legacy.