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 10:47 · Liam Corless]

Australian double Olympic champion cyclist Anna Mears is looking forward to the Games.

Mears, who is from Queensland, told the BBC:

"It's done a lot for the Gold Coast. For Australia, we love sport, it's so ingrained in our culture and our history.

"I think that this will be a wonderful platform for inspiration."

[4 April 2018 10:56 · Liam Corless]

Just five minutes to go now until the opening ceremony gets underway!

[4 April 2018 10:59 · Liam Corless]

The actual sporting action gets underway at around midnight tonight. This is what you've got to look forward to on Day One:

[4 April 2018 11:00 · Liam Corless]

Ha! It's absolutely lashing it down in the Gold Coast. It never rains in Britain.

I bet they're well jealous of our weather.

[4 April 2018 11:03 · Liam Corless]

The ceremony is underway and we're currently being treated to a song supposedly being sung by aliens.

"Hello earth, hello earth."

Always good to get off on a really weird foot.

[4 April 2018 11:05 · Liam Corless]

Spectators brave the elements prior to the opening ceremony 

[4 April 2018 11:11 · Liam Corless]

Now we've got a huge image of the earth projected onto the floor of the stadium.

At first we see Pangaea but the digital image then changes to show the land breaking up into different continents.

Around 270million years ago all of the land on earth was joined together (Pangaea) but 200milion years ago the land separated again.

[4 April 2018 11:15 · Liam Corless]

A lot of didgeridoo usage currently going on. 

This opening ceremony is a little more understated than the Winter Olympics opening ceremony but, in my humble and very important opinion, it's been better so far.

[4 April 2018 11:17 · Liam Corless]

A general view of a light projection during the Opening Ceremony 

[4 April 2018 11:20 · Liam Corless]