With the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games fast approaching, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has announced the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships in Birmingham during the Games.

The move comes after Melbourne was touted as a potential host after the CGF asked Melbourne to step up following the removal of Durban as host of the 2022 edition which led to Birmingham moving up from the 2026 event to the 2022 edition.

Melbourne is reportedly cautious of committing to hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games after hosting the event in 2006, with the Victorian Government currently conducting a feasibility report investigating the potential value of the 2026 event.

“Our government is committed to delivering more elite sporting content for Tasmanians to enjoy, and importantly, provide pathways for local sports men, women and children,” Howlett said.

“We are confident that we can work collaboratively with Commonwealth Games Australia on the opportunities Tasmania presents as either a host or co-host,” she said, suggesting Tasmania could combine with Melbourne to host the event.

With a report from Insidethegames suggesting the CGF is still planning to award the Games to Melbourne as early as next week in a provisional agreement.

The report suggested the Victorian Government is in advanced stages of the bidding process despite the initial perceived hesitance.

Elsewhere, the CGF announced it has sanctioned an inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championship to take place at the same time as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, happening at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on 6-7 August.

While the event will be conducted independently of the Commonwealth Games itself, CGF president, Dame Louise Martin, said the event will encourage the organise to consider future possibilities for esports at the Commonwealth Games.

“I am delighted that we are announcing the first Commonwealth Esports Championships and Commonwealth Esports Forum to take place in Birmingham this summer,” Martin said.

“Esports is continuing to grow dramatically in terms of popularity and participation, particularly amongst young people, and we are continuing to look at ways to explore how it can align with the Commonwealth Sports Movement.

“Commonwealth Esports Championships provides an excellent opportunity to pilot esports close to the Commonwealth Games.

“This will allow us to review the long-term relationship between the Commonwealth Games and esports as we continue to evolve and explore future editions of our event and what they could look like,” she said.