Birmingham launch feasibility study for 2026 Commonwealth Games
By Sky Sports News HQ
Last Updated: 17/01/17 5:10pm
Birmingham are stepping up their efforts to bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games by commissioning a feasibility study.
Birmingham City Council has appointed Origin Sports Group to carry out the study during the first quarter of 2017, with a final document due by April.
Last September, the council announced their intention to bid for the 2026 Games although it remains the case that no formal bid has been submitted.
Candidate cities have to notify their intention to bid by March 2018 and the winner will be announced in November 2019.
Birmingham's last attempt to host a multi-sports event ended in disappointment when, in 1985, they submitted a bid to the IOC to stage the 1992 Summer Olympics, which were later awarded to Barcelona.
Leading the panel carrying out the feasibility study is Alan Pascoe, who was vice-chairman of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and also helped Glasgow successfully bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
He will be assisted by Sir Keith Mills, who was the chief executive of the London 2012 campaign.
The study’s cost is capped at £170,000.