£72m Alexander Stadium revamp approved for the Games

Plans for a £72 million redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr have been approved by the city council's planning committee, a major milestone in preparations for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies and the athletics during the Games, which will bring 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories to the city for 11 days.

A bigger stadium

The redevelopment will increase the stadium's permanent capacity from 12,700 to 18,000 seats, with temporary seating taking it to more than 30,000 during the Games.

A new western stand will replace the old Main, Knowles and Nelson stands, which have already been demolished after permission was granted last August. There will also be new tiered seating to the north and south, a new six-lane warm-up track, a re-laid nine-lane competition track, new lighting, a practice throwing field, better public spaces and parking, and a new access road from the Aldridge Road.

Construction of the new stand is due to begin this spring and finish in late 2021, followed by test events before the Games.

Life after the Games

After 2022, the stadium will be at the heart of a regenerated Perry Barr, which is set to receive more than £500 million of investment in new homes, transport and public spaces.

The famous Birchfield Harriers athletics club will continue to be based there, and Birmingham City University will move its sport and exercise students into the stadium. It is also expected to become a focus for leisure, health and community activities for local people.

"Much more than 11 days"

Council leader Ian Ward said the Games were about much more than sport. "We've always been clear that Birmingham 2022 is about much more than 11 days of fantastic world-class sporting action. The Games are about regeneration, improved health and wellbeing, promoting the city on a global stage and building civic pride," he said.

"The eyes of the Commonwealth and indeed the wider world will be on the venue during the Games, but the longer-term opportunities the improved stadium will offer a regenerated Perry Barr, and indeed the wider region and nation, mean the delivery of this scheme is crucial for the city's future."

Ian Reid, chief executive of Birmingham 2022, called the approval "a key moment" for the organisers.

Inspiring young athletes

Triple jumper Abazz Shayaam-Smith, a Team England scholarship recipient, first came to the stadium aged 13. "Today was the first day I have been to the track since they knocked down the main stand, it's going to be really inspirational," he said.

"It's really important, not just for athletes competing but for how many people like me will get to come into this track and be inspired. To think of how many nations will come here in 2022 and compete on this track it's so exciting."

A proud history

The Alexander Stadium has been the home of British athletics in Birmingham for decades, hosting national championships and international meetings including the city's Diamond League event. The redevelopment will give it a main stand and facilities to match its status, and ensure the stadium can continue to attract major events long after the Games have gone.