Four major arenas have been "identified as the cornerstones" of Birmingham's bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, according to Carl Jackson of the Wolverhampton EXPRESS AND STAR. City center venues Symphony Hall and the Barclaycard Arena "would play a major part" while the National Exhibition Centre and Genting Arena, near Birmingham Airport, have also been selected. Members of the Birmingham 2022 steering group "believe they have the edge" over Liverpool, a major rival for the event, and said that 95% of their venues are "already built and up and running." The NEC is "central to the bid," with three of its largest halls, 1, 4 and 5, "earmarked to hold the boxing, judo, table tennis and freestyle wrestling" (EXPRESS AND STAR, 6/26). In Birmingham, Neil Elkes reported the Commonwealth's leading gymnasts will be "no stranger" to the Barclaycard Arena, which has previously hosted World and European Championships. The Genting Arena has been "lined up for badminton." The NEC is "well equipped" to host major events as it is home to Crufts, Spring Fair and the Horse of the Year Show. The athletics will take place "in an upgraded Alexander Stadium" and other venues are "likely to include the University of Birmingham’s hockey pitches, Edgbaston Cricket Stadium, the Perry Park BMX track and Villa Park." Only a competition standard pool "needs to be built from scratch" (BIRMINGHAM MAIL, 6/26).
