Baton Relay to visit the LNER Stadium

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit the LNER Stadium this summer as it travels through Lincoln on its way to the Commonwealth Games.

Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build-up to the Games. In England, the Queen’s Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping sport nears ever closer.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is set to travel the length and breadth of England for a total of 29 days, before culminating at the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on 28 July 2022. Kicking off on Thursday 2 June, the Baton will spend four days in London, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend. The Baton will then resume the international journey and return to England on Monday 4 July to commence a 25-day tour of the regions.

On 10 July, Lincoln will officially welcome the baton. A busy schedule of activities and events are planned for the Queen’s Baton Relay, with opportunities to highlight untold stories from batonbearers who are striving for change in their community.

During its time in Lincoln, the Queen’s Baton Relay will visit the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC), the LNER Stadium, Sincil Bank, Lincoln High Street, Steep Hill and Lincoln Cathedral.

The schedule of activity for the Baton’s time in Lincoln includes:

· Approx. 4.55pm*, International Bomber Command Centre

· Approx. 5.15pm*, LNER Stadium

· Approx. 6pm*, Lincoln Guildhall to visit the Right Worshipful, The Mayor of Lincoln before relaying up Steep Hill to Lincoln Cathedral

*Times subject to change, further details on events to be released soon.

Members of the public are encouraged to get involved with the celebrations and embrace the arrival of the baton, taking the opportunity to experience the buzz of Birmingham 2022 in their community. The Birmingham 2022 website will be updated with information over the coming months, with detail on the events and where to line the route.

Cllr Bob Bushell, portfolio holder for remarkable place at City of Lincoln Council said:

“We look forward to hosting the Baton in Lincoln as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay in July.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for us to showcase the city and what we have to offer and welcome residents and visitors to enjoy the evening’s celebrations.”

Thousands of batonbearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the baton during the journey through England, including those nominated in recognition of their contributions to their local community, whether that be in sport, education, the arts, culture or charity.

Since its inaugural appearance at the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s Baton Relay has been a tradition for the Commonwealth Games.

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay began at Buckingham Palace on 7 October 2021, when The Queen placed Her Message to the Commonwealth into the baton and passed it to four-time Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox, who had the honour of being the first of thousands of batonbearers to carry the baton.

Since then, the baton has visited Commonwealth nations and territories in Europe, Africa, Oceania. It still has further destinations in the Caribbean, the Americas, and more countries in Europe, including the Home Nations consisting of five days in Scotland, four in Northern Ireland and five in Wales, where it will finish on Sunday 3 July, before returning to England in summer for the final countdown to the Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games Federation president Dame Louise Martin DBE added:

“The Queen’s Baton Relay symbolises hope, solidarity and collaboration across the Commonwealth at a time when it is needed most.

"It continues to inspire people wherever it goes and creates huge excitement for Birmingham 2022 as it journeys towards the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on July 28.”