Commonwealth Games 2022: dates, Australian team, venues, sports, tickets, mascot

The 2022 Commonwealth Games are just 300 days away and while smaller than the Olympics in terms of countries and sports, it will have something major the Tokyo Games did not.

The biggest sporting event since the Tokyo Olympics will be played out in front of capacity crowds at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Australian fans will be among them.

Australia will be represented in Birmingham next year by what is expected to be our biggest ever team at an away Games, with around 425 athletes competing in all 21 sports, across 136 medal events for women, 134 for men and 13 mixed events.

Athletics will be one of the big hits in Birmingham.

And unlike Tokyo where all fans were banned, for the first time Australian families and fans will be able to access group tickets for all events, ensuring they can sit and cheer together in the stands.

The sporting extravaganza in Birmingham will be run from July 28 to August 8, 2022.

Some of the most popular sports will include athletics, swimming cricket, T-20 cricket, road and track cycling, Rugby Sevens, hockey and netball.

Tickets have gone on sale in the UK for spectators at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games with local tickets made available via a ballot.

Organisers said people needing to provide proof of the Covid vaccination status is still under consideration.

Cycling is one of the popular events at the Commonwealth Games.

Australian officials on Friday revealed Borobi the Koala, the official mascot of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, will also be the official mascot of the Australian team in Birmingham.

The 2022 event is the third time England has hosted the Commonwealth Games after London in 1934 in Manchester in 2002. Perth is pushing for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The creator of the hit series Peaky Blinders will produce the opening and closing ceremonies while a multi-coloured bull named Perry is the official mascot of Birmingham 2022.

Australian athletes are now on a countdown to the Commnwealth Games action is now just a

In all more than 5000 athletes will participate with the main venue Alexander Stadium.

Top performing countries at the Commonwealth Games traditionally include Australia, England, India, and South Africa.

Local organisers have opted to hold a women’s cricket tournament for the first time in 24 years.

Some events will be contested by both able-bodied and para athletes.

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Commonwealth Games 2022: dates, Australian team, venues, sports, tickets, mascot