Birmingham was the only city to submit an official bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games by today's deadline, it has been confirmed.

Birmingham received official confirmation yesterday that the United Kingdom Government will help provide funding if they are awarded the Games as a replacement for Durban, stripped of the event in March after failing to meet a series of financial deadlines.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), however, have revealed they are continuing to hold talks with Australia, Canada and Malaysia in case the Birmingham bid falls through

But there is no doubt that Birmingham is the CGF's preferred choice, having been identified as long ago as May as the best candidate to replace Durban.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed yesterday they would provide most of the funding, expected to be up to £750 million ($1 billion/€850 million), for Birmingham to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Birmingham City Council would provide 25 per cent of the total cost of staging the Games.

News via Inside The Games: www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1056019/birmingham-only-confirmed-bid-for-2022-commonwealth-games