The first of these events will be the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Indoor Championships from March 1 to 4, which will welcome 600 athletes from 150 countries.

The second Commonwealth event that the Arena Birmingham will welcome in March is the All England Badminton Open Championships, which will see 155 matches take place over four days from March 14 to 18.

March's action in Birmingham then concludes with the Gymnastics World Cup from the 21st to the 22nd.

The leader of Birmingham City Council Ian Ward, who was also the head of Birmingham 2022’s successful Commonwealth Games bid, said the events in March will whet the appetite for the 2022 Games in the English city.

"Birmingham loves sport and it's something which this city is extremely passionate about," he added.

"Hosting major sports events puts Birmingham in the spotlight, brings thousands of visitors to the city and helps to inspire young people from across the city and beyond.

"March is going to be a special month for Birmingham with three major events in three Commonwealth sports and it will give local people a taste of what's to come in four years' time."

British number one high jumper Robbie Grabarz is looking forward to the World Indoor Championships.

"I love competing at Arena Birmingham," he said.

"The atmosphere is always fantastic as the spectators are so close to the action.

"I know the high jumpers will do their very best to put on a great show to kick start the Championships and with some fantastic performances already this season it’s definitely going to be an exciting competition."

Claudia Fragapane, who won four gold medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, has recently been announced as one of the British gymnasts competing at the upcoming World Cup.

"The Gymnastics World Cup will bring the best gymnastics nations and gymnasts to Birmingham," she said.

"I'm really excited to be part of a strong British team and I can't wait to perform in front of the local crowd.

"This is an amazing time to be a sports fan in Birmingham with so many great events coming up and the Commonwealth Games happening here in four years' time."

Birmingham won the bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games after South African city Durban withdrew from the running after admitting they were unable to fulfill the financial commitments.

Phil Mead, managing director for Arena Birmingham, said: "These prestigious events will not only bring the world’s best athletes, but will also attract audiences from across the globe. All of them provide a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase what the Arena and Birmingham has to offer to sport and the live events industry.”