Liverpool has lost its bid to be the UK’s choice for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The Government elected to back Birmingham to prospectively host the games in seven years’ time, it emerged on Thursday.
Kuala Lumpur is set to rival the UK, with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport warning that a formal bid is by no means guaranteed.
Sports minister Tracey Crouch said: “I am grateful to the bid teams from both Birmingham and Liverpool for their hard work in making the case for their respective cities as potential Commonwealth Games hosts.
“Now, after a comprehensive assessment process, the government will look at the final bid proposal from Birmingham and decide if a formal bid will be submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation.
“We need to be completely satisfied that the bid offers overall value for money from hosting the Games and that a strong economic and sporting legacy can be delivered from it.
“The UK has fantastic expertise in hosting the biggest events in sport, as recently showcased at the London 2017 World Para Athletics and IAAF World Championships.
“And if we are to bid and are selected to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022 I have no doubt that Birmingham would host an excellent sporting spectacle.”
Liverpool’s proposal for the 2022 games would have seen a series of events hosted on the city’s waterfront, with Everton’s new stadium as its centrepiece.
The Bramley-Moore Dock site had been earmarked to host track and field alongside various other sports at the Goodison Park and Anfield venues.
A floating dockside pool was also unveiled as part of the plans while neighbouring Manchester had lent its support to Liverpool’s bid.
Brian Barwick, chair of Liverpool’s 2022 campaign, said: “We are proud to have put together such a bold plan, and it has been incredible to see the city unite behind a common cause and come together under the banner of the Commonwealth.
“I’d like to congratulate the city of Birmingham on making it to the next phase, and would like to offer this city’s support to the bid as it aims to represent the UK internationally.
“It will be great to see the Commonwealth Games back in the UK and we wish Birmingham well for the next stage in this process.”