Commonwealth Games 2018 opening ceremony – as it happened
The Commonwealth Games got under way on Wednesday evening in Gold Coast, the 21st edition of the event and the fifth time Australia has played host
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Your support makes all the difference.The 2018 Commonwealth Games get under way on Wednesday evening in Gold Coast, the 21st edition of the event and the fifth time Australia has played host.
This will be the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever put together, with spending estimated to finish at around AUS$2bn. It will be the first time women have the same number of events as men, and the most para-events incorporated with 38 in total.
England head into the Games looking to defend their crown as the most successful nation in 2014, having claimed 58 golds in Glasgow four years ago.
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Here is what you need to know ahead of the opening ceremony:
What time does it start?
The opening ceremony will start at around 7.30pm in Gold Coast, 10.30am in the UK.
Where does it take place?
It will take place in Carrara Stadium, a venue usually used for Aussie rules football which will play host to athletics during the Games.
How can I watch it?
The ceremony will be broadcast live on the BBC.
Who will be Team England’s flag bearer?
Alistair Brownlee will be England’s flag bearer for the Commonwealth Games. Double Olympic triathlon champion Brownlee, is defending Commonwealth champion in the individual and mixed relay races. Team England selected their flag bearer after a vote of all sport team leaders.
Not really too sure what's going on at the moment.
Clearly the chaps at the BBC have been briefed as they seem to know but this is my first time seeing it so you'll have to bear with me.
Hopefully the athletes come out soon.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have just entered the scene.
The pair will officially open the Games after the opening ceremony.
Now we've got a load of people dancing around on some sand in the middle of the stadium wearing beach attire.
Obviously it's a nod to the Gold Coast's, erm... coast?
We have some athletes! And Scotland, having hosted the games in 2014, are first out.
Eilidh Doyle, who won silver in the 400m hurdles four years ago, leads the team out!
Cyprus are next out and then it's England, the medal table-toppers in Glasgow!
Alistair Brownlee, who won triathlon gold four years ago, leads the team out.
There are 71 teams in the Commonwealth Games so we could be here a while.
Not quite as many as the 92 nations that we saw in PyeongChang for the Winter Olympics but still a fair amount nonetheless.
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