What time is the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony and how to watch it on TV

The Commonwealth Games is about to kick off - and it will be opened in style with a ceremony directed by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

Athletes representing all 72 Commonwealth Games Federations are expected to march in the opening ceremony of Birmingham 2022 at the newly-refurbished Alexander Stadium tonight (Thursday, July 28). Some 30,000 people - and not forgetting a global television and online audience - will witness Brummie artists Duran Duran and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, among others, open the ceremony.

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the event, Mr Knight said the event 'tells a real story,' adding: "It’s got real emotion, it’s got real heart." Theatre producer Iqbal Khan, who is artistic director of the opening ceremony, said the performance would also address the “problematic history” of the Commonwealth.

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Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that the Prince of Wales will represent the Queen at the event. Prince Charles will read out a message from the Queen put in the Commonwealth Games Baton, which has been carried to all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth during a 294-day journey.

Joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, Charles will also deliver a speech during the launch of the global sporting event. The Commonwealth Games will be the biggest sporting event in the UK since London 2012, and will see athletes compete in 19 sports and eight para-sports.

So, when and how can you follow all the action?

The opening ceremony will be broadcast live from Birmingham on BBC One from 7pm, on Thursday July 28. It will end for 10.30pm.

The games will run until Monday 8 August 2022. The BBC will air the games