Summary

  • Ceremony at Alexander Stadium marks end of Birmingham 2022

  • Ozzie Osbourne brings show to a close

  • Live acts included UB40, Musical Youth & Jaykae, plus special guests

  • Games handed over to 2026 hosts Victoria, Australia

  • Watch Games highlights using play icons at top of page (UK only)

  • Also click on 'video' link to visit our Commonwealth clips page

  1. Postpublished at 21:16 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Laura MvulaImage source, Reuters

    Here's a tribute to one of Birmingham’s major global exports of the past decade.

    Peaky Blinders!

    Instantly-recognisable tubular bells ring out, signalling the start of the title track which is, of course, Nick Cave’s ‘Red Right Hand’.

    "Take a little walk to the edge of town and go across the tracks..."

    This is a performance featuring Britain’s oldest dance company Rambert and an original track by Laura Mvula.

    Dancers have sharper undercuts than Jack Grealish and baggy caps than the Aussie cricket team.

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  2. Postpublished at 21:14 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Right then... from the city's music scene to a television show you might know about.

    Anyone heard of the Shelbys?

  3. Postpublished at 21:12 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Wish I'd worn my Fred Perry polo and brought the pork-pie hat.

  4. Postpublished at 21:12 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    A more modern voice in Jorja Smith - which means I'm momentarily lost for words.

    It's good though. She's a former BBC Sound of 2017 talent, right?

    Then we rewind to the 70s two-tone scene with The Selecter.

    Let's skank!

    The SelectorImage source, Getty Images
  5. Postpublished at 21:10 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Has anyone ever referred to Beverley Knight without describing her as 'UK soul sensation'?

    Hope not. Respect the legend.

  6. Postpublished at 21:09 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    The BPM is going up a notch now.

    It's UK soul sensation Beverley Knight providing the vocal for Goldie's classic 'Inner City Light'

    The D&B legend's teeth are as gold as the Wolves football shirt which Beverley is wearing.

    Nobody tell her Conor Coady's move to Everton has just been confirmed.

    Could be a mood-killer.

    Beverley KnightImage source, Getty Images
  7. Get Involvedpublished at 21:06 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    #BBCCWG

    Richard Upton: Pass the Dutchie was number one 40 years ago next month, succeeding Eye of the Tiger which, in turn, had toppled Come on Eileen.

  8. Postpublished at 21:06 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    This is brilliant! Still sounds fresh as.

    The stage in the Alexander Stadium is full of bhangra dancers, a sea of bright colours and flashy moves.

    The Panjabi MC classic 'Mundian To Bach Ke' plays with the unmistakable sound of the Knightrider bass.

    Somewhere David Hasselhoff nods along in appreciation.

    Panjabi MCImage source, Getty Images
  9. Postpublished at 21:02 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Let's fast forward to the 1990s...

    Something new that was widely overlooked by the general public emerged: club gatherings where thousands of young British Asians would listen to music - primarily bhangra.

    These secret gatherings, referred to as “daytimers”, took place during the day and involved young people dancing to bhangra music when they were meant to be in class.

    The events enabled teenagers and 20-year-olds to go clubbing during the day. But many of those desperate to be part of the new craze came from families who would never let their children go to nightclubs.

    And from that Panjabi MC was created. Get the lightbulb dance out!

  10. Postpublished at 21:00 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    UB40! Of course they were going to be here.

    Although my enjoyment has been tempered by the sad news that Ali Campbell and Robin Campbell have had a falling out. The band no longer features both brothers!

    It could ruin the night, but I'll put on a brave face.

    Some Red Red Wine will cheer me up.

    UB40 sing Red Red WineImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 20:58 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Musical YouthImage source, Reuters

    Another act, another classic.

    Reggae band Musical Youth blast out for their 1982 worldwide hit Pass the Dutchie which made superstars of the young teenagers.

    They're not so young anymore - well, only two of the original members remain part of the group - but they still know how to work a crowd.

    Better not go into the origins of Pass The Dutchie in a family broadcast.

  12. 'McColgan's gold was my stand-out moment'published at 20:57 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Ellie Simmonds
    Multiple gold medal-winning Paralympian swimmer on BBC TV

    Can we do it all again. It just brings a tear to my eye. If I had to pick a stand-out moment though it had to be Eilish McColgan sprinting to 10,000m gold. You could just see the grit and determination on her face, she wanted that gold. And then her hugging her mum [Liz] on the finish line. It just brought up so many emotions.

  13. Postpublished at 20:55 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Time, as Pink famously said, to get the party started.

    And what better way than Brum bhangra-reggae legend Apache Indian.

    Boom Shack-A-Lak! Till the dance hall full up, kids.

    A reminder to those eternal students among us of sticky floors across the country.

    Apache IndianImage source, Reuters
  14. Get Involvedpublished at 20:52 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    #BBCCWG

    Jarleth Eaton: What an 11 days in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Being able to go to world-class events in my area has been unbelievable. The Rugby 7s, Sandwell Aquatics Centre, Beach Volleyball and Athletics were all so special. An incredible #CommonwealthGames. So sad it’s over. #BBCCWG

    Twitter images of the Games by Jarleth EatonImage source, Twitter: @jarleth_eaton
  15. Postpublished at 20:52 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Most of the athletes are out... but we're still waiting for England. Here they are!

    A humongous roar as gymnast Jake Jarman trots out at the head of the line. More precious metal among that group than the Jewellery Quarter.

    Conga alert!! Canada head out with a classic.

    England athletes waving flagsImage source, Reuters
  16. Postpublished at 20:49 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Camera phones at the ready!

    Many of the athletes wander round the track with their devices in the air.

    Memories for life.

    Spencer Davis of Spencer Davis Group, we're told by Andrew Cotter, is Welsh but qualifies as a home musical act because he studied in Birmingham.

    The man is a human encyclopaedia.

  17. Postpublished at 20:47 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Now then... here are the athletes! Scotland's Eilish McColgan is the first athlete to stroll out, carrying the Scottish flag and leading the 100s of competitors into the stadium.

    Usually there are a few japes but everyone is on best behaviour so far.

    A few are getting piggy-backs and plenty are dancing their way onto the track.

    Athletes have the moves like Jagger.

    Flags are brought into the stadiumImage source, Getty Images
  18. Postpublished at 20:44 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    'TOGETHER' is the message on a huge tower erected in the middle of the Alexander Stadium.

    Hard not to disagree with such a sentiment.

    Together towerImage source, Reuters
  19. Postpublished at 20:42 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    The hits keep on a-coming..

    Jimmy Page's unmistakable guitar is followed by Robert Plant's perfect vocal... it's Led Zeppelin!

    Not in person, alas. But over the sound system.

    Kashmir if you're wondering. Or if you're a little younger, you might remember the riff in Puff Daddy's Come With Me.

    The tune is accompanied by the cast showing how Birmingham recovered from the destruction suffered in the Second World War.

    By the 1950s, communities from across the Caribbean, India and Pakistan came to the West Midlands and helped put the region back on its feet.

    Second World War workersImage source, PA Media
    Workers from the CaribbeanImage source, Getty Images
  20. 'New successes for England'published at 20:40 British Summer Time 8 August 2022

    Katie Falkingham
    BBC Sport in Birmingham

    One of the other big highlights for Team England was Katarina Johnson-Thompson retaining her heptathlon title.

    Her success marked her return to the top of an international podium after three years of injury and coaching changes.

    In the pool, James Wilby stunned the swimming world by shattering team-mate Adam Peaty's hold on the 100m breaststroke title, before Peaty avenged that medal miss by winning the 50m breaststroke title.

    On the diving boards next door, 17-year-old Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix won three medals, including two golds, at her debut Commonwealth Games.

    Two golds went the way of England's boxers while in the 3x3 basketball - a new event for 2022 – England were crowned the maiden men’s champions.

    Also at Smithfield, in the beach volleyball, a sport not typically associated with these isles, twins Javier and Joaquin Bello won England's first medal on the sand with bronze.