Birmingham has been selected as the English candidate for the 2022 Commonwealth Games after defeating rival Liverpool.
Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is likely to be the main rival after South African city Durban was stripped of the hosting rights due to a lack of financial guarantees.
In a statement, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said Birmingham’s bid was considered particularly strong on its management of risk, its high quality existing venue infrastructure and its plans for a long term sporting legacy.
The city must now put forward a compelling business case which shows “clear value for taxpayers’ money” to receive Government funding towards an official bid.
The Government will make a final decision in coming weeks in consultation with Commonwealth Games England before deciding if a formal bid will be submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).
Should Birmingham pass the final stage of assessment, a formal bid will be submitted to the CGF.
England is in pole position to become hosts after Canadian city Victoria ended its bid last month because the Provincial Government declined to support it.
Kuala Lumpur had also been tipped to bid but is at the moment still seeking support from the Malaysian Government.
Birmingham’s bid includes extensive renovation work to the existing Alexander Stadium which has been a host of Diamond League meetings.
It would stage athletics and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
A revamped Alexander Stadium
Rivals Liverpool had pledged to deliver a “transformational plan” if they were awarded the Games, with their bid claiming the Games would accelerate £1 billion of investment up to 10 years ahead of schedule and create more than 12,000 jobs.
Their bid focused on the riverside regeneration of the city’s Bramley-Moore Dock, which would be home to Everton Football Club’s new stadium.
Concerns were however expressed by Commonwealth Games England over the feasibility of their initial plan to install and remove an athletics track in less than three-and-a-half months.