This summer, Birmingham 2022 will bring a sporting and cultural extravaganza to the West Midlands. Spectators will see 11 days of world class sport, the city will offer a wonderful cultural programme and elite athletes will compete for the all-important gold, silver and bronze medals.

If you’re looking to get your tickets for the Games booked but want to try something a bit different, we’ve picked out some of the best options for finding your new favourite sport.

Beach Volleyball at Smithfield

Originating from the sandy shores of California in the 1920s and heading to the buzzing Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022, beach volleyball is one of the most exhilarating sports on show at the Games.

The people of Birmingham are not used to seeing sand on our doorstep, but come Games time you need look no further, the beach is coming to Smithfield! Beach Volleyball at Smithfield in the city centre will be a true spectacle against the iconic Birmingham skyline.

As the sun sets over Smithfield, the festival site atmosphere will come alive, with food and drink, performances and sport highlights to be seen. A day of sun, sand and Smithfield will be an experience like no other!

Don’t miss:

  • Saturday 30 July, 19:00 – 22:00: Session includes Men’s and Women's group stages
  • Thursday 4 August, 19:00 – 22:00: Session includes Men’s and Women’s group stages

Squash at University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre

A 2,000m squared arena, 1 all -glass squash court, thousands of spectators and one very, very fast ball. These are the components of Birmingham 2022’s squash competitions where athletes will make small rubber balls travel at up to 280km per hour! The sport made its Commonwealth Games debut at the Kuala Lumpur Games in 1998 and has been included in every edition since.

With the city centre live festival sites only a 20-minute cycle away along the A38 dedicated cycle lane and Birmingham’s beautiful canals not far from the venue, a day watching nail biting squash followed by more live action in the sun is a top choice!

Don’t miss:

  • Friday 29 July, 18:00 – 20:30: Session includes Men’s Singles matches
  • Saturday 6 August, 12:00-15:00: Session includes seven events including Men’s Doubles quarter finals and Mixed Doubles semi finals

Women’s Cricket T20 at Edgbaston Stadium

Be sure to catch one of the newest additions to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games programme. Women’s Cricket will debut this summer, being played in its fastest and most exciting format.The T20 competition will raise the voices of nearly 25,000 spectators at Edgbaston Stadium

Don’t miss:

  • Tuesday 2 August 11:00-14:30: England vs South Africa

Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls at Victoria Park

Lawn Bowls was first held in Ontario, Canada in the 1930 Commonwealth Games. In this inaugural edition of the Games, Lawn Bowls was included as one of the seven sports to be included in the programme. This year, we will see the intense drama of Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls come to Victoria Park, one of the best venues for the sport in the UK. 5,000 spectators will enjoy the action across five bowling Greens, as the athletes go head to head in  a sport that requires high levels of accuracy and focus.

Don’t miss:

  • Friday 29 July, 15:00-20:15: Session includes six events including Men’s Pairs, Women’s Fours, Para Men’s Pairs and Para Women’s Pairs
  • Wednesday 3 August, 15:00-20:45: Session includes seven events including Para Women’s Pairs Medal Matches

To secure your tickets to be at the heart of the action this summer head to birmingham2022.com/tickets

The information contained within this article is correct at the time of publishing but remains subject to change.