Where to watch the Commonwealth Games on TV? Plus full day by day schedule

Commonwealth Games athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson preparing to throw a javelin

(Image credit: Getty Images)

last updated 8 August 2022

The Commonwealth Games have finally arrived and all eyes are on host city Birmingham. For those who haven't got their hands on tickets, here's where to watch the Commonwealth Games on TV.

There's a sense of excitement mounting as we gather round to watch Britain's most impressive athletes at Birmingham 2022, with many familiar faces such as Adam Peaty and Katarina Johnson-Thompson competing. Though some may be disappointed that one of Team England's biggest names, Dina Asher-Smith, won't be running, there's still plenty of talent representing Britain this year.

And if you're planning on hunkering down to watch the action over the next couple of weeks, we've got everything you need to know, from how long are the Commonwealth Games to when is the opening ceremony and where to watch the Commonwealth Games on TV.

Where to watch the Commonwealth Games on TV

The BBC will be showing over 200 hours of live coverage on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Three, as well as additional coverage on the red button and up to 11 live streams on the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.

The coverage is free in the UK and will typically begin at around 9am each day and continue until night time. BBC Radio 5 Live and Radio 5 Sports Extra will also be covering the action, hosting live commentary on athletics, swimming, netball, cricket and boxing and providing updates on all the latest news across the daily programming.

A post shared by BBC SPORT (@bbcsport)
A photo posted by on

The BBC Sport website and app will also feature live text, video clips, reports, analysis and results, while every night on BBC One there will be a highlights show, called Tonight at the Games.

Olympic gold medallists Michael Johnson, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Sir Chris Hoy are just a few of the pundits and experts who will be commentating, as well as Commonwealth winners Max Whitlock and Beth Tweddle and Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds.

Was the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on TV?

The Opening Ceremony was broadcast live on BBC One, running from 7pm-10.30pm BST on Thursday 28 July. Those that missed it will be able to catch up with it on BBC iPlayer now.

Duran Duran returned to their home town to headline the event at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium, while other talent included Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and vocalists Indigo Marshall and Gambini. Samantha Oxborough - a graduate of The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - also performed the national anthem with City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Singer Simon Le Bon said in a statement "The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is a momentous event for the great city of Birmingham. And we in Duran Duran are honoured to be a part of it in our home town."

A live audience of 30,000 people was expected, alongside a predicted one billion viewers tuning in from home.

The Alexander Stadium will also host the closing ceremony - which will be broadcast from 8pm on BBC One - where the Queen's Baton will be passed on the the host nation of the next Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games 2022: Day by day schedule

Thursday 28 July

BBC One 7pm-10.30pm

On 'day zero' of the Commonwealth Games, coverage of the opening ceremony will be hosted by Clare Balding. Spectators can expect the Parade of Nations, where the athletes walk behind the flag of their country, and the conclusion of the Queen's Baton Relay, which will have travelled between all 72 Commonwealth nations and territories before arriving in host city Birmingham.

Tonight is the night.@BirmCons graduate Samantha Oxborough will be singing the National Anthem, backed by the @TheCBSO, marking the start of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.We joined Sam as she prepared for her role!#B2022 pic.twitter.com/WCpAsLB7zvJuly 28, 2022