With the Commonwealth Games taking place in Birmingham this year, many sports fans will be getting ready to enjoy a host of sporting events, taking full advantage of the many options to win a few quid via high street bookies or online in places such as Bet20.
The new athletics stadium is almost complete in Perry Barr, home to Birchfield Harriers athletics club for many years now.
The part covered stadium with its infamous grassy banks has now undergone a full multi-million pound transformation to create a new second, covered stand at the opposite end to the existing covered section as well as the grass banks fitted with semi-permanent seating to guarantee everyone gets a good view of the action during the track and field events.
The new 50 metre Olympic sized swimming pool in nearby Smethwick will provide additional spectator sport excitement during the Commonwealth Games, accompanying the existent 50 metre Olympic Pool at The University of Birmingham (which does not have the required spectator seating).
Sports and betting fans will be hoping for fine weather in the second city of England during the international games, with many sports being played outside, from cycling to running, track and field, and many pitch sports.
Birmingham will be alive with teams from all of the world, all mingling with the locals and taking part in what will no doubt be a very exciting and vibrant games.
The West Midlands is one of the most diverse multi-cultural city-regions and metro areas in the world, so there will be some great street entertainment, food and drink, arts and culture for sports fans and the competitors themselves to soak up in between the sporting events.
The West Midlands is truly one of the greatest sporting regions in the UK with some major sporting teams and trophies to champion, so the Commonwealth Games will only add to this brilliant heritage of sport and hopefully secure the future of the CG for years to come.
The tram extension from the city centre to Edgbaston will be completed, with additional transport and increased bus and train frequency ramped up in time for the massive influx of spectators to the city. A city-wide festival of arts and entertainment with giant screens and live shows is planned to help make visitors to Brum welcome and to make sure no one misses an event.
Centenary Square and Victoria Square are also undergoing a huge make-over for events such as beach volleyball and live performance such as B of the Bang.
Second only to the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games are not to be missed.