Queen’s Baton Relay

The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) is a unique programme with a global reach, bringing together people from across the Commonwealth during the build up to the world’s third largest multi-sports Games.



Before the global journey concludes at the Opening Ceremony on Thursday 28 July 2022, the Baton will travel across England with wide ranging events, from relays and community celebrations to iconic visits and photo moments. The QBR will showcase the best of England to the world and as such we need a programme that reflects our ambition and scale. The programme must be impactful and celebrate each region in an appropriate way based on QBR themes as the Baton can’t visit every town and city.



Given the nature of the Commonwealth Games, with the Home Nations competing as separate teams, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland QBR legs are being organised by their Commonwealth Games Associations and will sit in advance of the England programme.

Planning Regional Activity

The Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee have established regional planning boards to identify a programme of activity. The regional planning board consists of representatives from the following groups: Birmingham 2022, Commonwealth Games England, Commonwealth Games Federation, Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport, Local Government, Visit England / Regional Destination Management Organisations, Regional BBC, Sport England / Active Partnerships, and young people.

Sitting above the regional planning board and holding oversight of the programme is our National Steering Group, which is chaired by Birmingham 2022’s Chief Creative Officer, Martin Green CBE.



The Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee are looking for nominations for stand-out locations across the regions. If you believe your area has something to offer, please could you submit ideas via your regional representative by COP Thursday 27 January.

Regional representative for the East of England

Lyn Carpenter, email: [email protected]

Regional representative for the East Midlands

Stuart Young, email: [email protected]

Regional representative for the South West

Claire Toze, email: [email protected]

Regional representation for the South East

Paul Shackley, email: [email protected]

Regional representative for the North East

Louise Marrin, email: [email protected]

Regional representative for the North West

Susan Lees, email: [email protected]

London and the West Midlands are being handled differently and the Committee has been in touch directly with local councils. If you have any specific questions about the West Midlands or London plans please contact Ian Nolan, Senior Project Manager for the Queen’s Baton Relay [email protected].

If you are unsure who your regional planning board representative is, please email [email protected] who will be able to confirm.

The Ask

Submissions should be based around the following questions and the key themes of the Queen’s Baton Relay. Submissions will be considered by your region's planning board as part of their work to determine the programme of activity.

1. What is the one stand-out activity / destination / event in your region you think we should visit?

• What is your region best known for – an activity with national renown?
• If there is just one thing to do in your region, what is it?

2. What or where in your region responds to the QBR story?

• Is there an untold story from your constituency and region which deserves national recognition?
• A programme of digital innovation?
•  Are there strong links to the Commonwealth?

3. Are you aware of any other events or activities taking place in your region on the dates we are visiting?

Next Steps

Having taken on board all activity suggestions, the most viable routes will be considered by each regional planning board. These routes will have taken into consideration both time and operational requirements. We anticipate that we will look to confirm the route in April.