Liverpool has launched a bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games

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May 16, 2017 9:48 AM

Liverpool has officially launched a bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, also expressing interest in hosting the 2022 Games after Durban's withdrawal.

Liverpool has launched an official bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson told The Guardian: "Liverpool is not only a cultural city [but also] a sporting city recognised across the world."

"Other [host cities] haven’t got that oomph that Liverpool has. There’s no other city that puts on events like Liverpool does."

The city has a tremendous sporting heritage, with iconic areas like Anfield football stadium and the Echo Arena (pictured) as potential host venues.

Liverpool City Council even said that the bid could involve the Bramley-Moore Dock, Everton's planned site for a state-of-the-art £300 million ground.

According to the BBC, a council spokeswoman said that plans for Bramley-Moore Dock could include a running track.

The city already has an Olympic-standard swimming pool at the Liverpool Aquatics Centre, but diving and a training pool would need to be added.

Elsewhere, Liverpool would need to build a velodrome to host cycling competitions.

Liverpool has reportedly set aside £500,000 to fund the campaign, but the true cost of hosting the Games is expected to eclipse Glasgow's £550 million bill from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The Guardian reported that Liverpool will likely face competition from rival English cities like Manchester and Birmingham, all of whom have been emboldened by devolved mayoral powers.

Liverpool's bid also includes an interest in hosting the 2022 Games after South African city Durban withdrew citing financial constraints.

Anderson expressed an interest in hosting host the 2022 Games in February when he said: "We heard rumours that Durban might be unable to deliver the Commonwealth Games in 2022. We have indicated to the government that we are willing to host them instead."

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