THE Black Country Festival is among nine cultural and sporting events in the West Midlands set to share £3 million of Commonwealth Games legacy funding.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the UK Government aim to support the organisers with money from the £70 million Games underspend which is to be reinvested back into the region.

The Black Country Festival, which will run from July 1 to 31 2024, is to receive £365,000.

The Birmingham Weekender Festival, which runs from August 22-25, will receive £350,000, the Kabaddi World Cup, which will run from March 24-31 2025, is to get £500,000 and Coventry’s Godiva Festival which will run from July 5-7 2024 will also receive £500,000.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chairperson, said: “It was always our intention that the Commonwealth Games should leave a lasting legacy far beyond the sporting spectacle - as wonderful as that was.

“With this £3 million of Games legacy funding, we’re turning words into action. This money will help us to host the Kabaddi World Cup and will support the organisers of well-established local events such as the Godiva Festival in Coventry, Birmingham Weekender and the Black Country Festival - alongside some new events.

“Collectively, this backing will bring in hundreds of thousands of people to our region, give a welcome boost to local businesses and provide valuable jobs and volunteering opportunities for local people. I look forward to seeing the difference this support makes on the ground and celebrating all that is great about the West Midlands in the months and years ahead.”

Other events to receive funding are:

• ESL One - Dota II esports tournament, Solihull, April 26-28 2024 (£145,000)

• European Judo Union Junior Cup, Walsall, June 15-19 2024 (£250,000)

• Reggae Fever - Celebration of Caribbean Culture, Coventry, July 20 2024 (£250,000)

• SuperDome esports tournament, Solihull, September 5-8 2024 (£250,000)

• West Midlands Urban Sports, Wolverhampton, 6-8 September 2024 - £390,000 The funding is being made available after the Commonwealth Games came in under budget.

Following discussions between the Mayor and the WMCA’s local authority partners the UK Government decided to invest the remaining £70 million into the region to enhance the legacy of the Games and ensure the benefits have a positive impact for years to come.

Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said: “The record-breaking Commonwealth Games in Birmingham was a great success, bringing in millions of pounds to the local economy, and £870 million gross value added to the wider UK economy. This Government's aim is to make sure Birmingham's legacy is felt in the region for years to come.”

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said the funding for the Black Country Festival was "very much welcome" and he added: “For several years the Black Country Festival has been key in bringing people together and creating great pride, with the flag being flown all over the world and seen at high profile music and sporting events.

“This money will allow us in difficult financial times to continue to put on popular events like the Black Country Musicom, which celebrate who we are and where we come from.

“It should mean that this year will be the biggest and best Black Country Festival yet.”

Businesses and community groups can find out more about how to benefit from the legacy fund by visiting www.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/commonwealth-games-legacy-enhancement-fund/.