City’s elected Mayor Joe Anderson told an audience of Merseyside business leaders in that he was ‘serious’ about bringing the games to the city. Tony McDonough reports.

Liverpool will submit an official bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in June this year.

The city’s elected Mayor Joe Anderson told an audience of Merseyside business leaders in that he was “serious” about bringing the games to the city.

He first unveiled his ambition to bid for the games last summer and now said an official bid is likely this coming summer.

Birmingham is also keen to bring the games to the Midlands and both cities will have to first lodge a bid with the UK Government who will decide by September 2018 which of the two will be put forward.

The ultimate decision as to who will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be confirmed by the Commonwealth Games General Assembly in September 2019.

The last British city to host the games was Glasgow in 2014.

Sports stars backing Liverpool’s bid include Liverpool FC legend Jamie Carragher, Olympian Katarina Johnson-Thompson and boxing champion Tony Bellew.

Speaking at an event at Liverpool & Sefton Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Anderson said: “There will be a bid in by June and we are confident given the work we have done so far.”

The council will have to carry out a  full feasibility study which will include an assessment of the city’s infrastructure against the technical requirements set out by the Commonwealth Games Federation.

“We know there is competition from Birmingham,” added the Mayor, “so we have to prove our passion.

“We have an opportunity to create a real legacy and also get more young people involved in sport.”