
The Baton, which has already travelled around all commonwealth nations and territories, will parachute from the skies above East Park in Wolverhampton at 8am precisely, but if you want to see this historic moment you’re advised to get there by 7.30am.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Commonwealth Games tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities ahead of the games.
This is the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay, which started on 7 October 2021 at Buckingham Palace, when The Queen placed her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton.
The England route began in London on 2 June, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations and will culminate in the host city of Birmingham, where it will take a central role in the Opening Ceremony on 28 July.
The Baton will be parachuted into East Park by the Wings Parachute Team, before it starts its journey around the city being carried by a total of 49 Batonbearers before arriving at Queen Square at 11am and leaving for the next stop on route Dudley, at 11.30.
It will visit key locations as it weaves its way around including, WV Active Aldersley where the relay will start on foot and Molineux Football Stadium.
For more information on where and when you can see the relay in Wolverhampton please see below and to find out more about the Queen’s Baton relay and its journey regionally please visit birmingham2022.com/qbr
The route
Please view the image below for a map of the route, you can also view a pdf version in the 'Downloads' section.
East Park
The first 150 people will be able to enjoy a free breakfast bap at 7.30 at East Park, as they watch the skies ready for the Baton making its descent at 8am and making history in the process. The Baton will be carried around the football fields of East Park by the first three Batonbearers, before departing by car for a quick private visit to Wolverhampton Wrestling Club on the Cannock Road to be met by Commonwealth Games hometown hero, Ranjit Singh.
But 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.
The public should be aware there will be no parking in East Park 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 get underway at 9am, after its brief private visit to Wolverhampton Wrestling Club. It will be welcomed into the stadium by Hit the Dhol and bhangra dancers before it is cycled around the track by former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Hugh Porter MBE, who will then hand it over to his wife, five-times Commonwealth Games champion swimmer, 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 9.17 to embark on its journey around the city, with the next stop being a private visit to school children at St Andrew’s Primary School. But the celebrations and fun will continue at WV Active from 9.20 until 10.30 if families want 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 you can register online.
St Andrew’s Primary School
The Baton arrives via the relay route of 15 Batonbearers at St Andrew’s Primary School, where it will be welcomed by school children performing a dance choreographed especially for the occasion. It will leave here at 10.12 before continuing to the city centre.
Molineux Football Stadium
It will make a brief stop outside the stadium by the Billy Wright statue at 10.42 before continuing on its way to the centre.
Queen Square
Entertainment begins here at 10.30 with radio presenter Dicky Dodd. They’ll be a small fairground ride, a steel drum band and other music to greet the last Batonbearer when they arrive at 11.06.
Celebrations continue with the Baton in the square with Commentary from Dicky Dodd and a speech by The Right Worshipful 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 11.31. the celebrations will continue in the Square until 12.30.
Road closures on the day
For the Wolverhampton leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay, there will rolling road closures as the route passes through the city this Sunday morning (July 24).
These will not last for more than 10/15 minutes at a time, so should hopefully cause minimal inconvenience, but we are grateful in advance to residents and businesses for their understanding. We’d ask that people have a look at the route ( see our map) and plan their journeys throughout the morning accordingly.
Facts and stats
- The Baton is travelling for a total 294 days and will visit all nations and territories of the Commonwealth
- The epic journey aims to embrace culture; ignite hope, solidarity and collaboration; and share stories that inspire others to take on challenges.
- The England route began in London on 2 June, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
- The Queen’s Baton Relay will culminate in the host city of Birmingham, where it will take a central role in the Opening Ceremony on 28 July 2022
Batonbearers
Thousands of Batonbearers, each with inspiring backgrounds and stories, will have the honour of carrying the Baton during the journey through England. Batonbearers were nominated for in recognition of their contributions to their local community and being an inspiration to others.