Design for 2022 Commonwealth Games stadium unveiled

The proposed stadium design for the 2022 Commonwealth Games has been unveiled for public consultation. 

At the heart of the wider Perry Barr regeneration effort, Birmingham City Council plan to redevelop Alexander Stadium into a high-profile venue for diverse sporting, leisure and cultural events. The redeveloped stadium will be the focal point of the Commonwealth Games, hosting the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the athletics competition.

The £70m investment will increase the stadium’s capacity and provide new facilities for both athletes and the local community, with the council determined to “create a legacy asset the city and its residents can be truly proud of.”

The redeveloped stadium will increase its permanent seating capacity from 12,700 to 18,000, allowing up to 40,000 during the games through additional temporary seating.

Key features include:

• A new western stand replacing the Main, Knowles and Nelson stands
• New tiered seating to the north and south
• A new 400m six-lane warm up track and re-laying of a new IAAF Category 1 track (400m nine-lane competition standard track)
• Improved public realm and parking provision, with additional landscaping and signage
• Installation of new stadium lighting and practice throwing field
• A new access road from A453 Aldridge Road (to be used for event/maintenance use only)

The design will facilitate the temporary ‘games overlay’ elements and additional infrastructure needed to deliver the 2022 Games. Further detail regarding the games overlay will be consulted on at a later date.

Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The team has designed a redeveloped stadium which will meet the needs and aspirations of the community for generations to come. This is about creating a destination venue, shaping a legacy beyond the Commonwealth Games.”

A planning application will be made this autumn and, subject to approval, the redeveloped stadium will be ready ahead of the games which will take place between 27 July and 7 August 2022.