Liverpool’s prospective bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games could be rivalled by a number of other UK cities, including Cardiff and Birmingham.
Yesterday, it emerged that the City Mayor Joe Anderson had written to Culture Secretary John Whittingdale expressing his intention to ‘explore a bid by Liverpool to be the host city’ for the games.
Yet the Liverpool’s bid to host the world-renowned event could come under threat from several other UK cities, with Cardiff and Birmingham now also investigating the possibility of hosting in 2026.
Cardiff, it is believed, sees its success in hosting the recent World Half Marathon Championships as an indicator of its suitability for the holding of the 2026 games.
And speaking about a potential bid, a spokesman for Welsh Labour said they would “determine the possibility of hosting an All-Wales Commonwealth Games in 2026”.
But the Welsh capital, pipped to the post by Liverpool for European Capital of Culture in 2008, acknowledges that the city of Liverpool poses a “hefty threat” to its hopes and will seek to use local legend and Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson to front any bid.
Birmingham, meanwhile, has responded to news of Liverpool’s prospective bid by signalling its own desire to host the games.
The Midlands city is currently in the midst of a large regeneration scheme, and counts the new Olympic-sized pool at the University of Birmingham, the impressive Alexander Stadium and the Barclaycard Arena amongst its numerous assets.
Local MP Liam Bryne has pointed to the impending HS2 rail development which will deliver a new railway station, and a series of other regeneration schemes, as further evidence of the city’s infrastructural advancement.
He noted: “We have a strong track record of hosting international sports events and we have a lot of infrastructure and the visitor economy already in place.”
However, members of Birmingham City Council are split on any proposed bid, and the city may well decide not enter the bidding process.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson hopes that the Commonwealth Games could “be a catalyst for regeneration” across the city region and the wider northwest area.
His letter has already been warmly welcomed by one high-profile figure, with Jack Buckner, CEO of British Triathlon, yesterday announcing his support for any bid from the city of Liverpool- a major fillip for the local council, even at this very early stage in proceedings.