Liverpool’s bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games is now “in the home stretch” after taking a step forward, according to Richard Bell of BDAILY. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport announced Liverpool’s bid, launched in June in partnership with Manchester, "will progress to the final stage of the selection process." The government is "due to decide if it will support" a U.K. bid this September. Liverpool 2022 Bid Chair Brian Barwick said, "We are now in the home stretch in the race to persuade government that our Liverpool-Manchester partnership will be ground-breaking for the Commonwealth Games, while also financially sound and good for the U.K." (BDAILY, 7/31). PLACE NORTH WEST reported along with Birmingham, Liverpool received inspection visits "in the last few weeks attended by an independent assessment panel," Commonwealth Games Federation representatives and Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport officials. Some details include EPL side Everton's proposed Bramley Moore Dock stadium as the "main venue," swimming at a new pool in the dock system and some showpiece athletics events at the Pier Head. Durban, South Africa, had been selected to host the 2022 Games, "only to withdraw," leading those cities preparing '26 bids to "move plans forward." Victoria, Canada, has launched its official bid, "while other claims could come from Australia and Malaysia." The "English rivals are believed to be favourites" (PLACE NORTH WEST, 7/31).
