Liverpool and Manchester are "in talks about a joint bid" to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. The “M62” bid would be led by Liverpool, which would host the athletics, with Manchester "potentially hosting cycling and swimming in venues that were built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games." The U.K. government announced that it will consider “multi-city proposals,” with all bids needing to prove that they are “value for money.” Birmingham is the "biggest rival" to an M62 bid but "cost could be a factor," as the city would need to build a new velodrome and an aquatics center. Fewer new venues "lessens the financial risk, something that could prove decisive at a time when there is uncertainty over the effects of Brexit." The opportunity arose after Durban, South Africa, was "stripped of the right to hold the Games following a series of missed deadlines and financial problems." Liverpool has "never hosted a sporting event of such a size before" and joining Manchester would "significantly reduce the amount of money needed to construct venues." London has all the facilities from the 2012 Olympics but Mayor Sadiq Khan "played down" the chances of bidding for '22 (LONDON TIMES, 4/22). REUTERS' Simon Evans reported Australian cities Sydney and Melbourne have "also shown interest" in taking on the '22 event. Liverpool has "already begun putting together a bid team" headed by former FA CEO and current Rugby Football League Chair Brian Barwick. Manchester "successfully hosted" the Commonwealth Games in '02 and has "yet to formally declare an interest" in the '22 event (REUTERS, 4/22).