A new study by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport of the United Kingdom has revealed that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has contributed at least £870 million ($1061 million/€980 million) to its economy with businesses and communities in the West Midlands region benefiting massively.

Accommodating 6,600 athletes from 72 Commonwealth nations, it was the largest multi-sport event in the country since London hosted the Olympic Games in 2012.

Birmingham 2022 created thousands of job opportunities with three quarters of the local businesses surveyed saying they got new investments due to the Games.

Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said: "Birmingham 2022 was tremendously successful in boosting the local economy and bringing people together. This report shows that new jobs and investments are just the beginning of the story, with the Games paving the way for future events in the region, as well as putting the West Midlands on the global stage - whilst providing the region with world-class facilities.

He went on: "Thanks to Birmingham 2022, the city now has the industry know-how and venues to host the European Athletics Championships in 2026. Diversity and inclusion were at the heart of the 'Friendly Games', with the first fully integrated pride programme, more medals for women than men and the biggest para-sport programme in Commonwealth Games history."

"The Birmingham Commonwealth Games provided a huge and timely boost for Birmingham, the West Midlands and the United Kingdom," said Ian Ward, Councillor of Birmingham City Council. "The Games were just the start of Birmingham’s Golden Decade of Opportunity, providing a springboard for further success, and these findings underline why the bold decision by the council to lead the bid for the Games was the right one.

"Birmingham 2022 was always about much more than 11 days of sport and our focus is now firmly upon realising the long-term legacy that being the Proud Host City will enable. The council will continue working with partners to ensure that the people and communities of Birmingham and the wider region continue to be Commonwealth Games winners for years to come."

The Government went on to announce that over £60 million ($73 million/€67 million) of unspent contingency funding will be invested in improving the legacy of the Games further.