West Midlands hosts 'momentous' month of sport

A "momentous" month of sport is about to begin in the West Midlands with the region hosting three major international tournaments in March.

Fans of badminton, esports and contact sport kabbadi are set to descend on the region, bringing a significant economic boost, officials said.

The tournaments will raise the region's profile as global audiences follow the sports, West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) said.

The Paddy Power Kabaddi World Cup from 17-23 March is one of nine cultural and sporting events to have shared £3m legacy funding from Birmingham's Commonwealth Games.

It will be the first time the competition has been held outside Asia, with the West Midlands welcoming the world's best male and female kabaddi players from across Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Americas and Europe.

Events are to be held in Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Coventry and Walsall, WMGC said, with University of Wolverhampton's Walsall campus hosting women's group games, including England vs Hong Kong and India vs Egypt, as well as the men's quarter-finals.

Preceding that, Birmingham's Utilita Arena will once again host the YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships, from 11-16 March.

Joel Lavery, strategic lead for major sporting events at WMGC, which is supported by the region's combined authority, said it was an international festival of badminton with players from China, India, Japan and Malaysia competing in the city, which has hosted the tournament since 1994.

Four esports tournaments will be also held in Birmingham and Solihull later in the month.

Game On Birmingham will be held from 26-30 March, in Solihull, which will include the British Esports Cup, on 26 March, West Midlands Unwrapped two days later, and Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) 2025 Major Birmingham, from 29-30 March.

All events are anticipated to deliver a "£5.8m impact for the region's economy, with huge global television audiences expected", the WMCA said.

"March promises to be a momentous month for sport in the West Midlands, with three major events in quick succession," Mr Lavery said.

"Global audiences will visit or tune in to see a region, which is not only at the heart of sport in the UK, but committed to attracting youthful, inclusive and diverse sporting events.

"These tournaments will help to raise the region's profile and deliver real economic and social benefits for the West Midlands."

The region has already hosted the Super League Basketball Trophy finals in January and UK Athletics Indoor Championships in February.

New regional netball team Birmingham Panthers will also play their first Netball Super League match at BP Pulse Live, at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Solihull, on 21 March.

John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, said the city was made up of "passionate and knowledgeable sports fans" and it was a major coup to host events leading to an exciting sporting month for the region.

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