There are more than one million tickets available for the Games, with ticket prices starting from £8 for under 16s and from £15 for adults. There will also be £22 tickets available for every session throughout the Games, including all medal sessions and the opening and closing ceremonies.

With 286 sessions across 19 sports, including eight para sports, there is something for everyone, with tickets available for fan favourites: athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and netball, as well as a host of new sports including women’s cricket T20, basketball 3×3, wheelchair basketball 3×3, and mixed synchronised diving.

The ballot is open to the residents of the West Midlands, as defined by the Office of National Statistics. This includes people living in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, and Worcestershire. To check eligibility, use the postcode checker at birmingham2022.com/tickets. Tickets will also be available in the Main Ballot in September, which is open to everyone in the UK.

A landmark event, Birmingham 2022 will boast the largest sports programme in Commonwealth Games history, with venues hosting sport right across the region, including in Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull, Leamington Spa, Coventry, Wolverhampton, and Cannock Chase.

To coincide with the West Midlands ballot, Birmingham 2022 unveiled a newly refurbished basketball court in Summerfield Park in Ladywood, Birmingham. The court has been designed by Team England basketball player Kofi Josephs and local graffiti artist Zuke, who painted a bespoke, colourful mural onto the court.

The revamped space aims to inspire participation in the sport and is part of a wider to plan to ensure the Games leaves a lasting legacy in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Joining Kofi Josephs and Zuke at today’s launch were Team England basketball players and representatives from local basketball clubs, as well as the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, leader of Birmingham City Council councillor Ian Ward, the deputy chair of the Birmingham 2022 board Geoff Thompson, Councillor Sharon Thompson and Councillor John O’Shea.

Matt Kidson, Director of Sport for Birmingham 2022, commented: “Birmingham 2022 is a once in a lifetime opportunity for residents of the West Midlands, with the Games being held, essentially, in their backyard. We want to make sure that everyone who lives locally has a chance to experience the Games, through volunteering, spectating, or soaking up the festival atmosphere – that’s why we are launching a priority access ticket sale today for people with a West Midlands postcode. This is your chance to experience the biggest sporting event to be held in the UK for a decade.”

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “With the opening of the priority ticket ballot, Birmingham 2022 is firmly within our sights on the horizon. I am delighted the people of Birmingham will be amongst those getting the first opportunity to buy tickets for eleven days of fantastic sporting action, taking place at a range of superb locations in their city and further afield. The Games will show off the best of Birmingham as the Proud Host City and this is your chance to secure your attendance at the largest event to be staged in our history.”

Paul Blanchard, Commonwealth Games England Chief Executive: “Team England athletes will really appreciate the passionate, loud and energetic support of the West Midlands public behind them as they compete for their nation. A home Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most athletes which adds a special sense of pride when representing England.”