The Glasgow 2014 Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be the largest events of their kind ever to be delivered in the Scottish city, while they will be beamed globally to an estimated audience of more than one billion people.

"The Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games provide a golden opportunity for Glasgow and for Scotland to shine on the global stage as the proud and passionate home of an outstanding Games," said Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg.

"These Ceremonies represent a unique and unprecedented opportunity to inspire national and international audiences with a dynamic and vibrant experience of 21st century Scotland at its best.

"It's essential our Ceremonies capture the essence of an unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime sporting moment for Commonwealth athletes and for Scotland, as well as playing their part in creating a positive Games legacy for the nation."

The Opening Ceremony is due to take place on July 23, 2014, at Celtic Park in front of a live audience of 60,000.

Highlights are set to include the arrival of the Head of the Commonwealth - the Queen - the Parade of Nations, which will see the 71 Commonwealth countries and territories march around the venue, and the epic conclusion of the Queen's Baton Relay which will tour every participating nation before arriving.

Meanwhile the Closing Ceremony is due to take place on August 3 at Hampden Park Stadium with a live audience of up to 44,000.



It will see Glasgow hand over to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Flag to the Gold Coast, the hosts of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, while there will be a celebratory atmosphere for athletes, spectators and volunteers.

The winning team will have a budget of £14 million ($22 million/€17 million) to deliver both ceremonies.

"The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that Glasgow and Scotland has to offer," said Scotland's Minister for the Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison.

"The Opening and Closing Ceremonies will focus the eyes of the world on Scotland and enhance our global reputation for culture and creativity.

"The Ceremonies are one of the highlights of a Games and this investment has the potential to bring direct economic benefits to our creative industries, boosting jobs and contract opportunities in one of Scotland's high-growth sectors."

Glasgow 2014 has published the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) on their website which will help identify suitably qualified companies who will be invited to tender for the Ceremonies Creative and Technical Delivery Contract.

The successful Glasgow 2014 Ceremonies Creative and Delivery Team will have to demonstrate they can maximise the unique opportunity to showcase the pride, passion and diversity of Glasgow and Scotland.

They must also be able to link culture and sport in an innovative spectacle which excites audiences and celebrates athletes, create opportunities to engage communities across Scotland and the creative sector nationwide, as well as develop a dynamic programme which recognises half the population of the Commonwealth is under 25.

It is anticipated the successful team will be in place by July 2012.

Eileen Gallagher, the chair of the Glasgow 2014 Ceremonies, Culture and Queen's Baton Relay Steering Group, will play a major role in helping with the delivery of two events.

"The Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games create brilliant opportunities to showcase a dynamic contemporary nation with a passion for culture and creativity," said Gallagher, the co-founder of Shed Productions which has produced successful programmes such as Footballer's Wives, Bad Girls and Waterloo Road.

"This is our chance to deliver both an outstanding live experience and a global show-reel for Scotland which connects us internationally and, as part of a creative programme for Glasgow 2014, allows Glasgow and Scotland to shine on the world stage."

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