22 Reasons why Liverpool should host the Commonwealth Games 2022

It’s no secret that we can throw a party here in Liverpool, and as if our 2026 commonwealth games plans we’re ambitious enough, we’re now in the running to bring the sporting action to town, 4 years earlier!

Liverpool City Council backed a bid, back in August 2016, to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but since 2022 favourite host city, Durban, has pulled out, we fancy our chances or bringing the event to Merseyside even earlier.

With plans to build brand new, world-class venues whilst utilising our iconic waterfront, stadiums and conference centres, hosting the games could be a unique opportunity for Liverpool to show exactly what it’s capable of in the world of sport.

Here’s 22 reasons why Liverpool should host the Commonwealth Games 2022.

1 – First things first, we’ve got an unbeatable track record for hosting events. How many cities have wows the world stage with European Capital of Culture and the Cunard 175^th Anniversary? You wanted Giants….we brought them (and their dog). You wanted three humongous royal cruise liners and enough fireworks to be heard for miles around? Yep, we did that too.

2 – Even our arch rivals want us to host it! Manchester City Council leader, Sir Richard Leese, said that despite “a long tradition of sporting rivalry… Liverpool’s bid to host the 2026/2022 Commonwealth Games has Manchester’s wholehearted support” Aww how nice is that?

3 – The bid has the backing of some local sporting legends. Graeme Sharp, Jamie Carragher, Beth Tweddle and Tony Bellew have all stepped up to support the games coming to Liverpool…..and you wouldn’t argue with a WBC Cruiserweight Champion, would you?

4 – City Mayor, Joe Anderson thinks we’d ace it! He said: “Liverpool is an ambitious city and I believe we have an enormous amount to offer when it comes to hosting an event of this scale, which would be an incredibly important catalyst for regeneration, investment and raising the profile of sport.”

5 – We invest heavily in sport, nutrition and lifestyle education with Hope, Edge Hill, Liverpool and LJMU offering courses and degrees. The bid could inspire a whole new wave of not just athletes but physio’s, nutritionists and agents, while giving our young people a huge incentive to achieve their goals.

6 – How amazing would it be for kids starting high school this September? To think that in 5 years time a world sporting event would be unfolding on their very doorstep. Our kids could even benefit from an improved sport programme….and even compete! Possibilities are endless!

7 – City of Liverpool Gymnastics club have been British Team champions 10 times, created loads of Olympians including Rebecca Tunney who by the way, is Double Gold Commonwealth Youth Champion. Let’s bring the commonwealth games to our own backyard and show everyone how we slay in a leotard!

8 – Liverpool sport is dominated by football, and while the beautiful game isn’t included in the Commonwealth Games programme, our stadiums could be the perfect venues for Rugby Sevens and hockey!

9 – We’re a city of runners, from the Liverpool Harriers to the Kirby Milers and the Penny Lane Striders, we turn out in our droves to support running events from the Rock n’Roll marathon to Race for Life and the Radio City Scouse 5k. You can bet we’ll line the streets to welcome international teams with our famous scouse charm!

10 – Wavertree Aquatics Centre, tennis club and sports park is a constant hive of activity and could welcome some of the world’s best competitors to its state of the art facilities thanks to an injection of investment cash! Plus have you seen the plans for the floating pool at Albert Dock?

Liverpool to Chester Bike Ride

11 – Our local media will go nuts (including us) the coverage will be ground breaking (think live drone footage and go-pro’d athletes) and the aftermath will have us talking for months! Fancy a career in sports journalism? This could be your big chance!

12 – Welcoming people from around the world comes second nature to us, with one of the biggest Chinese communities in the UK, Liverpool is home to people from all manner of backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and races. Everyone is welcome and 2022 will be no different.

13 – We’ve got some huge venues already! Echo Arena, The Convention Centre, the footy stadiums, tonnes of parks, waterways and miles of roads. Come on over, there’s room for everyone!

14 – Welcoming international teams and the worlds press to our city hotels and restaurants will create a huge jobs boost and you’ll never beat a warm scouse welcome!

15 – Rarely does a weekend go by without a city road closure for a sporting event and triathlons, marathons and road cycling gather great support here. Shoppers and tourists alike always flock to the barriers to clap and cheer the competitors over the finish lines.

16 – Potential open and closing ceremonies could provide a stage for our city’s creative dance groups and musiciansto put on the show of their lives! Imagine the celebrity cameo’s! Has anyone rang Pete Price?

17 – For those who still like to type cast our city and put us down…..just wait and see what we can do! Unity is Liverpool’s strength and showing the world what a phenomenal city we have is our fave pastime.

18 – We just love a competition and hosting the games will provide a city full of sport-mad kids with an opportunity to compete professionally in their own back yard! What an incentive!

19 – The Commonwealth Games schedule is pretty intense, so when the medals are won, there’s going to be one hell of a party. With more bars, clubs and pubs than you can shake a hockey stick at, the city will make sure everyone has a ball!

20 – Spectators will be awed at just how diverse the north west is. From our iconic city centre with its stunning architecture and maritime history, to the beautiful Wirral peninsula and unspoiled beaches from West Kirby to Southport.

21 – Look at all the boss pro’s we’ve produced! Robbie Brookside WWE legend, Dan Highcock the pro wheelchair basketball Paralympian, gold-medallist gymnast Beth Tweddle and Rio 2016 heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson! Could hosting the games create a whole new wave of athletes.

22 – The region could become an even bigger sporting hub with the legacy of the 2022 games with renewed venues and facilities that would benefit local residents, young or old. Lets do this!

What are your thoughts on the Commonwealth Games 2022 bid? Tweet us @TheGuideLpool or email info@theguideliverpool.com and we’ll share the best on our socials.