Birmingham 2022 have signed up the University of Birmingham as an official partner ©University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham has been unveiled as an official partner of Birmingham 2022, signing, what it is claimed, is the most comprehensive university partnership agreement in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

The University will be a competition venue for both hockey and squash, the principal campus village during the Games and a major partner.

The agreement also confirms the University as an official partner of the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay - International Leg, offering international promotional opportunities as it travels through Commonwealth nations and territories in the run up to the Games.

Birmingham 2022 will also work closely with the University of Birmingham to offer volunteering opportunities for staff and students on campus, providing them with valuable experience of working at a major sports event and guaranteeing that the teams staying there have the support of volunteers who are extremely knowledgeable about the university site.

The University of Birmingham is due to host hockey and squash during the 2022 Commonwealth Games, as well as being the principal campus village ©University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is due to host hockey and squash during the 2022 Commonwealth Games, as well as being the principal campus village ©University of Birmingham

"Our place as both a civic University and as a global institution makes us well placed to partner with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and we are looking forward to playing our part in this success story for our region,” University of Birmingham vice-chancellor, Professor Sir David Eastwood, said.

"Our partnership with the Birmingham 2022 Games is the most comprehensive university partnership in the history of the Commonwealth Games.  

"Through this partnership we are delighted to be able to share our outstanding sports facilities and accommodation with athletes from across the globe as well as providing opportunities for our staff and students to engage with the Games through their research, through volunteering, and through participation.

"As a University we have a long and proud history of sporting success with staff, students and alumni competing at an international level and I wish the very best of luck to the Commonwealth Games hopefuls in our community."

Ian Reid, the Birmingham 2022 chief executive, visited the University of Birmingham campus today to support the partnership announcement.

"We are absolutely thrilled that the University of Birmingham has decided to take their involvement with the Games to the next level," he said.

"Obviously, we have already been working very closely with the University, taking advantage of its world-class sporting facilities to stage two of our sports and its fantastic accommodation to use as our main campus village.

"By becoming an official partner, the University of Birmingham has truly underlined their considerable support for the Games."

The University of Birmingham is the fifth official partner for Birmingham 2022.

They join legal advisers Gowling WLG, timekeeper Longines, recruiter GI Group and host broadcaster Sunset+Vine.