The Baton, which has already travelled around all Commonwealth nations and territories, will parachute in from the skies above East Park at 8am precisely, when the festivities begin for a morning of fun throughout the city.
This marks the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay, a Commonwealth Games tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities ahead of the Games.
The Baton will be parachuted into East Park by the Wings Parachute Display Team before it starts its journey around the city. It will be carried by a total of 49 Batonbearers before arriving at Queen Square at 11am.
The Baton will visit key locations as it weaves its way around the city, including WV Active Aldersley where the relay will start on foot, and the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Molineux Stadium.
Here are more details of the celebrations taking place at each site:
East Park
The first 150 people will be able to enjoy a free breakfast bap at 7.30am at East Park, as they watch the skies ready for the Baton to start its descent at 8am and make history in the process. The Baton will be carried around the football fields of East Park by the first 3 Batonbearers, before departing by car for a quick private visit to Wolverhampton Wrestling Club on Cannock Road where it will be met by Commonwealth Games Hometown Hero, Ranjit Singh.
Families can stay on in East Park and enjoy a family fun morning after the Baton has left. This will include children’s rides, a bouncy castle, food stall, face painting, balloon modelling, sporting games and a ‘have-a-go experience’ and activities supported by the Army, including an inflatable assault course, football dartboard and a giant deckchair.
Those planning to come to East Park should be aware there will be no parking on Sunday morning as a result of the relay, other than for Blue Badge holders.
WV Active Aldersley
Spectators are advised to arrive by 8.15am ready for the Baton to arrive and the relay to get underway at 9am. It will be welcomed into the stadium by Hit the Dhol and bhangra dancers before it is cycled around the track by Commonwealth Games gold medallist Hugh Porter MBE, who will then hand it over to his wife, Olympic swimming champion and 5 times Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Anita Lonsbrough MBE. Anita will then pass the Baton to local schoolchildren to take around the running track.
Residents can line the route to cheer on the Baton when it departs WV Active at 9.17am to embark on its journey around the city, with the next stop being a quick private visit to school children at St Andrew’s CE Primary School. But the celebrations and fun will continue at WV Active Aldersley until 10.30am with families welcome to remain and enjoy free outdoor family fitness bootcamps, outdoor spin classes, multi sports activities, a Dr Bike repair stand, a smoothie bike and track cycling demonstrations.
There will also be the opportunity for all of the family to take part in a free, organised cycle ride from Aldersley to Wombourne along the disused railway track. This will be led by No Limits to Health and people can register online at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Queens Baton Relay Family Cycle Ride.
Molineux Stadium
The Baton will make a brief stop outside Molineux Stadium by the Billy Wright statue at 10.42am before continuing on its way to the city centre, where one of the Batonbearers will be Wolves legend Steve Bull MBE.
Queen Square
Entertainment begins here at 10.30am with radio presenter Dicky Dodd. There will be a small fairground ride, a steel drum band and other music to greet the last Batonbearer when they arrive at 11.06am.
Celebrations continue with the Baton in Queen Square with commentary from Dicky Dodd and a speech by the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE. There will be an opportunity for people to have their photograph taken with the Baton during a 20 minute period before the Baton departs for Dudley at 11.31am. The celebrations will continue in the Square until 12.30pm.
There will rolling road closures as the route passes through the city, expected to last for more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time to cause minimal inconvenience. People are urged to visit Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to view a map of the relay route and plan their journeys.
Councillor Steve Evans, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, said: “What a fantastic event this will be for our city and what a great range of activities and attractions will be available for our residents.
“The Commonwealth Games are about bringing communities together and this day will certainly do that. The Queen’s Baton Relay itself is there to recognise the lives and achievements of remarkable people and I know we have some wonderful stories from out city Batonbearers.
“So I would encourage everyone to come out on Sunday and join in – enjoy the attractions, line the streets and most of all, make some noise for our fantastic Batonbearers.”
The Queen’s Baton Relay started on 7 October, 2021 at Buckingham Palace, when The Queen placed her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton. It culminates in the host city of Birmingham, where it will take a central role in the Opening Ceremony on 28 July.
To find out more about the Queen’s Baton Relay visit Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and for more information on its journey regionally please visit The Queen's Baton Relay.
