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Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay route through the Proud Host City is revealed

Published: Saturday, 11th June 2022

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit all ten of the city’s Parliamentary constituencies during the final two days of its 294-day journey.

Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games.

In Birmingham, the Queen’s Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022 in the 48 hours leading up to the 11 days of showstopping sport.

People in all of the city’s neighbourhoods will only be a short distance from a part of the route and are being warmly welcomed to check out the schedule (detailed below) and plan where they want to cheer the Baton as it makes its way through Birmingham.

Four key themes underpin the two days the Baton will spend in Birmingham:

  • Celebrating equality and commonality across the city
  • Prioritising inclusivity and showcasing the rich diversity of the city
  • Showcasing biodiversity and connectivity
  • Engaging and inspiring younger generations in connecting with the Commonwealth and the Games

Arriving in Birmingham on Wednesday 27 July, the Baton will begin its tour of the city at the Botanical Gardens, which opened in 1832 and remains one of the city’s biggest attractions to this day.

It will then take in several parks and open spaces as well as locations such as Sarehole Mill (which inspired the literary works of Tolkien), Birmingham City FC’s St Andrew’s Stadium and the Balti Triangle (home to Birmingham’s signature curry dish).

Later on it will arrive at the Gay Village (where the Baton will enjoy a drag queen parade and mini carnival) and Gas Street Basin (where it will be carried aboard various forms of canal transport), ending the day in the heart of the city centre in Victoria Square – where a special celebration event, open to the public, will be staged that evening.

The following morning, Thursday 28 July, will see the final day of the relay start at Birmingham Children’s Hospital (celebrating the efforts of the NHS locally), weaving its way through a number of neighbourhoods taking in more parks and open spaces as well as the likes of the Jewellery Quarter (which contributed to the creation of the Baton).

Later on it will pass landmarks including the Nishkam Centre on the Soho Road, Perry Hall Park, Sutton Coldfield town centre and Aston Villa FC’s home Villa Park before ending at Aston Hall – from where it will then be taken into the Alexander Stadium as part of the Opening Ceremony for the Games.

During the ceremony, the Baton will be opened – and The Queen’s personal message to the Commonwealth, inserted when the relay began at Buckingham Palace on 7 October 2021, then read out.

Hundreds of Batonbearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the Baton during the journey through Birmingham, including those nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community, whether that be in sport, education, the arts, culture or charity.

The Birmingham Baton route has been shaped following a year of planning and preparation including engagement with all political groups on the city council and West Midlands Police.

Also involved was the council’s own Commonwealth Games and Physical Activity Overview and Scrutiny Committee, whose then-Chair Cllr Mariam Khan played a key role in suggesting ways in which the emerging proposals could be refined to ensure more communities and groups were represented via the final route taken by the relay.

Fuller details of what will be happening along the Birmingham leg of the Baton’s journey, including specific highlight moments, which will help people plan how they celebrate the event, will be announced in the coming weeks, as it edges ever closer to arriving in the city.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is a great way for people from all parts of Birmingham city to embrace our status as Proud Host City for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“We’ve been watching with excitement as the Baton makes its way across the Commonwealth, planning and preparing, so when it comes to Birmingham, we will show how bold and vibrant our city is – giving people a sneak preview of our warmth and hospitality before the Games get underway.

“Through initiatives such as our Celebrating Communities fund for projects in every ward of the city, we are providing plenty of ways for people to get involved with Birmingham 2022, but I’d urge everyone to check out the schedule for the Birmingham leg of the Relay. Find a place to cheer our inspirational Batonbearers on, and get involved in this fantastic way you can be a part of the Games.”

Since its inaugural appearance at the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s Baton Relay has been a tradition for the Commonwealth Games.

John Crabtree, Chairman of Birmingham 2022, said: “Seeing the route the Queen’s Baton Relay will take through Birmingham provides a real sense for the excitement that will soon captivate this city during the final 48 hours leading up to the Games.

The two-day relay will be a momentous finale of celebration, following what will have been an incredible journey through the country. The calling points along the route offer a truly unique opportunity to showcase the many sides to our wonderful city, draw communities together and offer residents the chance to be enthralled in the spectacle of the Queen’s Baton Relay, whether that’s at an event in the heart of the city, or as it passes landmarks on the outskirts.

It will also showcase the extraordinary human spirit that exists here, by shining the spotlight on the Birmingham Batonbearers, each nominated and selected for their remarkable achievements and inspiring stories. I would encourage everyone to come out and support these heroes of the community on the relay on the 27 and 28 July.”

For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay, visit the dedicated Birmingham 2022 webpage.

Background information

The high-level schedule for the Baton’s visit to Birmingham is on the following pages (please note timings are approximate and subject to change on the day).

Wednesday 27 July 2022

Time Location
8:00am to 8:12am Botanical Gardens
8:22am to 8:34am University of Birmingham (clock tower)
8:58am to 9:08am Victoria Common
9:34am to 9:39am Rowheath Pavilion
10:17am to 10:32am Cotteridge Park
11:37am to 11:57am Kings Heath Park
1:01pm to 1:22pm Swanshurst Park
1:37pm to 1:47pm Sarehole Mill Museum
2:16pm to 2:42pm Bordesley Recreation Ground
2:47pm to 2:55pm Adderley Park
3:23pm to 3:28pm St Basils Milner Court
3:28pm to 3:33pm Kingston Hill Local Park
3:40pm to 3:45pm Birmingham City Football Club
3:45pm to 3:50pm Balti Triangle - Clifton Hill Primary School
4:04pm to 4:43pm Small Heath Park
4:52pm to 5:25pm Hurst Street
5:30pm to 5:32pm Batonbearer Mural (Navigation Street)
5:40pm to 5:45pm Mailbox
5:45pm to 5:58pm Gas Street Basin
6:08pm to 6:18pm Brindleyplace
6:28pm to 6:38pm Centenary Square
6:45pm to 8:00pm Victoria Square

Thursday 28 July 2022

Time Location
7:40am to 8:00am Birmingham Children's Hospital
8:00am to 8:08am Aston University Campus
8:17am to 8:22am St Paul's Church
8:39am to 8:44am Jewellery Quarter
9:00am to 9:10am Handsworth Library
9:10am to 9:20am Nishkam Centre, Soho Road
9:24am to 9:29am Georges Park
9:49am to 10:20am Perry Hall Park
11:16am to 12:05pm Sutton Town Centre
12:05pm to 12:30pm New Hall Valley Country Park
12:25pm to 12:40pm Pype Hayes Park
1:11pm to 1:32pm Aston Villa Football Club
1:32pm to 2:37pm Aston Hall

*Route and times correct as of 4 July 2022

To ensure the safe and smooth journey of the Baton and Batonbearers through the city, some local roads will be closed for a brief amount time. The earliest roads will be closed from to accommodate the start of the travelling event, will be 8am, and the latest time to accommodate the end of the event, will be 7pm on day one and 3:30pm on day two.

It is expected that roads on the route will be closed for no longer than two hours and most likely will reopen after 30 minutes. The stewards on the ground on the day will work safely and quickly to get roads reopen as soon as the convoy passes through.

Temporary parking suspensions will be place in some key locations to allow the convoy to arrive and depart safely. There will be advanced warning signs well in advance of the day to advise drivers through the area.

Please be aware there may also be some changes to local bus services on this day. Please check before travelling with the bus operator.

About the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay

Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities in every corner of the Commonwealth ahead of Birmingham 2022.

The Baton has already begun its epic journey across the Commonwealth, where it will have visited Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean, and the Americas, it will return to England in July 2022 for the final countdown to the Commonwealth Games.

The Queen’s Baton will travel around England for 25 days, before the Relay officially ends at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on 28 July 2022. The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Games tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities from across Commonwealth during the build up to the Games.

This collective journey will ignite hope, solidarity and collaboration for the next generation, with these stories leaving us all inspired to take on the challenges that matter most to us. 

The Queen’s Baton

The Queen’s Baton for Birmingham 2022 was created in a West Midlands collaboration that fused art, technology and science. Made from copper, aluminium and steel, the Baton also features a platinum strand in homage to The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year. It is also equipped with cutting-edge technology; 360-degree camera, heart rate monitor, atmospheric sensors and LED lighting.

About the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games   

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be held from 28 July until 8 August 2022, will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to put the city, the region, and its people on the global stage. 

The Games is already proving to be a catalyst for transformation across the West Midlands, attracting new investment and funding, creating jobs and apprenticeships for local people and new opportunities for local businesses, as well as accelerating projects that will ensure the region is ready to host a fantastic sports and cultural celebration. 

Birmingham 2022 will be the Games for everyone, bringing people together from across Birmingham and the region, to provide a warm welcome to millions of visitors during the summer of 2022.

Find out more at www.birmingham2022.com

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