Women's Twenty20 cricket, beach volleyball and Para table tennis have all been added to the programme of sports at the 2022 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images

Women's Twenty20 cricket, beach volleyball and Para table tennis have all been added to the programme of sports at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The three sports were proposed for the programme by the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee, and it was confirmed today that a majority of the 71 Commonwealth Games Federations had backed the decision.

It means that the 2022 Commonwealth Games will have more women's and Para medal events than any previous edition of the event, and that there will be two more female medal events than men's - 135 to 133.

The confirmed event programme for the 19 sports at Birmingham 2022 is due to be announced next year.

Beach volleyball will retained as part of the programme at the Commonwealth Games following a successful debut at Gold Coast 2018.

Para table tennis is also back on the programme having also appeared at Gold Coast 2018, meaning eight Para events will be contested in three years time.

Women's cricket will take place between eight teams at Edgbaston, an established Test cricket venue which recently held the first 2019 Ashes Test match between England and Australia.

It was at Edgbaston today that the three sports were officially confirmed as part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, due to take place between July 27 and August 7.

"Today is an historic day and I am delighted that we can now confirm that Birmingham 2022 is set to have the largest ever female and para-sport programme in history," Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Dame Louise Martin said.

"I would like to congratulate and formally welcome women’s T20 cricket, beach Volleyball and Para table tennis to the official sports programme for Birmingham 2022 and I know they will all help enhance what will be a spectacular and vibrant multi-sport event.

"I would also like to thank our Commonwealth Games Associations for recognising the benefit that these three exciting sports will add to Birmingham 2022 and voting to include them to the sports programme.

"We are passionate advocates of women’s sport and Par ra sport so I am thrilled we are able to make this special announcement today."


International Table Tennis Federation President President Thomas Weikert was delighted with the announcement. 


The ITTF is delighted to learn that the CGF has accepted the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee’s recommendation for the inclusion of Para table tennis.

"We wish to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Table Tennis England in preparing the submission.

"This will hopefully provide us with an opportunity to build upon the successes of the Gold Coast Games, to further the development of our Para athletes across the Commonwealth and provide an impetus for activity on the local and national scene in England.

"The inclusion of Para table tennis in multi-sport competitions that are not exclusively 'Para events' is also a clear proof of how popular table tennis is and how viable it is for Local Organising Committees to stage our sport.”

International Volleyball Federation President Ary S. Graça expressed his satisfaction at beach volleyball appearing at Birmingham 2022. 

"We are honoured that beach volleyball has once again been selected for the Commonwealth Games after its successful debut at Gold Coast," he said. 

"Volleyball is an inclusive sport that is enjoyed all over the commonwealth by people of all abilities and backgrounds.

"As a sports leader in gender equality, we are extremely proud to bring the fantastic atmosphere of beach volleyball to Birmingham 2022, an event which is set to have the biggest female and para sports programmes in history."