Commonwealth Games 2018 opening ceremony – as it happened

The Commonwealth Games got under way on Wednesday evening in Gold Coast, the 21st edition of the event and the fifth time Australia has played host

An introduction to The Commonwealth Games 2018: Gold Coast

The 2018 Commonwealth Games get under way on Wednesday evening in Gold Coast, the 21st edition of the event and the fifth time Australia has played host.

This will be the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever put together, with spending estimated to finish at around AUS$2bn. It will be the first time women have the same number of events as men, and the most para-events incorporated with 38 in total.

England head into the Games looking to defend their crown as the most successful nation in 2014, having claimed 58 golds in Glasgow four years ago.

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Here is what you need to know ahead of the opening ceremony:

What time does it start?

The opening ceremony will start at around 7.30pm in Gold Coast, 10.30am in the UK.

Where does it take place?

It will take place in Carrara Stadium, a venue usually used for Aussie rules football which will play host to athletics during the Games.

How can I watch it?

The ceremony will be broadcast live on the BBC.

Who will be Team England’s flag bearer?

Alistair Brownlee will be England’s flag bearer for the Commonwealth Games. Double Olympic triathlon champion Brownlee, is defending Commonwealth champion in the individual and mixed relay races. Team England selected their flag bearer after a vote of all sport team leaders.

[4 April 2018 10:00 · Jack Austin]

Hello and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on Australia's Gold Coast!

[4 April 2018 10:04 · Liam Corless]

The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony takes place today 

[4 April 2018 10:11 · Liam Corless]

Here's a list of the 19 sports on offer during the 2018 Commonwealth Games

• Athletics
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Bowls
• Boxing
• Cycling
• Diving
• Gymnastics
• Hockey
• Netball
• Rugby Sevens
• Shooting
• Squash
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Triathlon
• Volleyball
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling

[4 April 2018 10:13 · Liam Corless]

[4 April 2018 10:17 · Liam Corless]

Athletes from Canada and Cameroon pose for a selfie at Jezzine Barracks 

[4 April 2018 10:23 · Liam Corless]

The last Commonwealth Games took place in Glasgow four years ago and, on that occasion, England ended up topping the medals table.

England claimed 174 medals in total - 58 of which we gold.

Australia, this year's hosts, came second with a total of 137 medals.

[4 April 2018 10:28 · Liam Corless]

[4 April 2018 10:33 · Liam Corless]

Queensland police have launched a criminal investigation into allegations that a Mauritian team official sexually assaulted one of the delegation's athletes at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Read the full story here.

[4 April 2018 10:35 · Liam Corless]

Did you know?

Gold Coast is the sixth-largest city in Australia, behind Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Approximately 650,000 people live in the east-coast city.

[4 April 2018 10:40 · Liam Corless]

Australian Aboriginals display banners during a protest outside the Carrara Stadium before the opening ceremony