How to watch athletics at Commonwealth Games 2022: live stream, track and field schedule

If there's one must-watch event at Birmingham 2022, it's the track and field athletics. Unmatched in its scale and variety, athletics is the bedrock of the Commonwealth Games, sporting competition in its purest form, and with 54 gold medals on the line at Alexander Stadium, it's where the Games will be won or lost. Want to see the sprinters, jumpers and throwers? Read on as we explain how to watch an athletics live stream at the 2022 Commonwealth Games wherever you are right now - including ways to watch all of the action for FREE.

With Dina Asher-Smith out of action, host nation England's hopes rest largely on the shoulders of reigning Commonwealth Games heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, European 100m champion Zharnel Hughes, and British 100m title-holder Daryll Neita.

Scotland's Jake Wightman stunned the watching world by winning the 1500m at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene last month, and he has the chance to cement his status at the top of the tree. Once again, Wightman's compatriot Josh Kerr, and Kenyan duo Timothy Cheruiyot and Abel Kipsang will be amongst those lining up against him.

If she runs, as she's expected to, Jamaica's Shericka Jackson looks a shoo-in to at least push the 200m Commonwealth record hard, while Andre De Grasse's late withdrawal has blown the men's race wide open.

As ever it's a jam-packed schedule, with 30 gold medals set to be contested across Saturday and Sunday, and you can follow our guide as we explain all the ways to live stream athletics at the 2022 Commonwealth Games wherever you are.

Watch a Commonwealth Games athletics live stream for FREE

We've got full details for each country below, but these are the TV channels and streaming services that are showing a Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games live stream for free.

CBC (Canada)

BBC iPlayer (UK)

7Plus (Australia)

Remember that Canadian, British and Australian nationals can tune into CBC, iPlayer and 7Plus from abroad by using a VPN.

How to watch athletics: live stream 2022 Commonwealth Games FREE in Canada

Sports fans in Canada can live stream athletics at the Commonwealth Games for free on the CBC Sports website. It has some of the most comprehensive and easy to navigate coverage worldwide.

CBC Sports' Commonwealth Games coverage starts as late (or early) as 2am ET / 11pm PT on some days, with live streams continuing into the afternoons. 

Every athetics session, meanwhile, starts at around 5am ET / 2am PT, and 2pm ET / 11am PT.

So, if you're looking to watch as much of Birmingham 2022 as possible, CBC should be your first port of call. Take a look at the CBC Sports schedule for full details of what's on and when. Away from home?

Use a VPN to watch the Commonwealth Games from abroad.

Watch an athletics live stream at the Commonwealth Games from outside your country

If you're currently abroad and struggling to tune in - or if you just want the comfort and language of your home nation's coverage - then geo-restrictions may stand in your way of getting a Commonwealth Games athletics live stream.

That's where the broadcaster prevents you from watching your usual feed from abroad. It's a common problem for sports fans all over the world. By downloading and installing a VPN, you can effectively trick your computer into thinking that it's back at home.

Use a VPN to watch a Commonwealth Games athletics live stream from anywhere

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How to use a VPN for athletics at the Commonwealth Games

Using a VPN to watch the Commonwealth Games athletics free on CBC Sports is as easy as one-two-three...

1. Download and install a VPN - as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN

2. Connect to the appropriate server location - open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location

3. Go to the broadcaster's live stream - so if you're from the Canada, just head to CBC website.

How to watch athletics: live stream Commonwealth Games 2022 for FREE in the UK

Viewers can watch athletics at the 2022 Commonwealth Games for FREE in the UK, with coverage being shown across BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC iPlayer and through the BBC Red Button.

Every athletics session starts at around 10am and 7pm BST. The BBC's daily Commonwealth Games coverage typically begins at 8.30am and continues deep into the nights.

Away from the UK right now? No worries:

Use a VPN to watch a Commonwealth Games free live stream from abroad

BBC iPlayer is free to watch with a valid TV licence, and works across a huge array of devices, including laptops, tablets, smartphones, media streaming devices like Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Chromecast and Roku, and PlayStation and Xbox consoles.

How to watch athletics: live stream 2022 Commonwealth Games for FREE in Australia

Aussie sports fans can watch athletics at the Commonwealth Games for FREE Down Under, thanks to Channel 7 and the 7 Network's suite of TV channels.

That means viewers can also fire up a free athletics live stream on the 7Plus streaming service, which is compatible with most smart devices. Currently away from Australia?

Use a VPN to watch the Commonwealth Games on 7Plus from abroad

Every athletics session gets underway at around 7pm and 4am AEST. Meanwhile, daily Commonwealth Games coverage typically begins at 5.30pm, but because of time differences a lot of the action also takes place in the dead of night.

Can I watch athletics at the Commonwealth Games in the US?

Sadly, there's no confirmed broadcaster for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the US at the time of writing. The only alternative is to use one of the best VPN service providers to tap into coverage from another nation, as described above.

The software is generally ideal for this as it allows you to change your IP address and appear to be in a completely different location - and all through a safe, encrypted connection. But do bear in mind that most paid streaming services do require a credit card based in the same country as the service.

2022 Commonwealth Games athletics schedule

(All times provisional and in BST)

Tuesday, 2 August

Session 1 - 10am
Men's Long Jump Qualifying Round
Women's Heptathlon 100m Hurdles
Women's T37/38 100m Round 1
Men's 100m Round 1
Women's Shot Put Qualifying Round
Women's Heptathlon High Jump
Men's Discus Throw Qualifying Round
Women's 800m Round 1
Women's 100m Round 1

Session 2 - 7.05pm
Women's Pole Vault Final
Men's 400m Hurdles Round 1
Women's Heptathlon Shot Put
Men's High Jump Qualifying Round
Men's T45-47 100m Round 1
Women's T37/38 100m Final
Men's 110m Hurdles Round 1
Women's Discus Throw Final
Men's 10,000m Final
Women's Heptathlon 200m
Men's T45-47 100m Final
Women's T33/34 100m Final

Wednesday, 3 August

Session 1 - 10.30am
Women's 400m Round 1
Women's Heptathlon Long Jump
Men's 800m Round 1
Men's T11/12 100m Round 1
Women's Triple Jump Qualifying Round
Men's 400m Round 1

Session 2 - 7pm
Men's High Jump Final
Women's Heptathlon Javelin Throw
Men's 100m Semi-Finals
Women's 100m Semi-Finals
Women's 10,000m Final
Women's Shot Put Final
Men's F42-44/61-64 Discus Throw Final
Women's Heptathlon 800m
Men's T37/38 100m Final
Men's 100m Final
Women's 100m Final

Thursday, 4 August

Session 1 - 10am
Women's Hammer Throw Qualifying Round
Men's Decathlon 100m
Women's 200m Round 1
Men's Decathlon Long Jump
Women's High Jump Qualifying Round
Men's 1500m Round 1
Men's 200m Round 1
Men's Decathlon Shot Put

Session 2 - 7pm
Women's F42-44/61-64 Discus Throw
Men's Decathlon High Jump
Women's 400m Hurdles Round 1
Men's Long Jump Final
Men's T11/12 100m Final
Women's T53/54 1500m Final
Men's Discus Throw Final
Men's Decathlon 400m
Men's 110m Hurdles Final

Friday, 5 August

Session 1 - 10.15am
Men's Decathlon 110m Hurdles
Women's 100m Hurdles Round 1
Men's Decathlon Discus Throw
Women's 1500m Round 1
Men's 4 x 400m Relay Round 1
Women's Long Jump Qualifying Round
Men's Decathlon Pole Vault

Session 2 - 7.05pm
Men's Triple Jump Qualifying Round
Men's Shot Put Final
Men's 200m Semi-Finals
Women's 400m Semi-Finals
Men's Decathlon Javelin Throw
Men's T53/54 1500m Final
Women's 200m Semi-Finals
Women's Triple Jump Final
Men's 800m Semi-Finals
Men's 400m Semi-Finals
Men's Decathlon 1500m
Women's 3000m Steeplechase Final

Saturday, 6 August

Session 1 - 10.17am
Women's High Jump Final
Women's F55-57 Shot Put Final
Women's 10,000m Race Walk Final
Men's Hammer Throw Final
Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final
Women's 4 x 100m Relay Round 1
Men's 4 x 100m Relay Round 1
Men's 1500m Final

Session 2 - 7pm
Women's Hammer Throw Final
Men's Pole Vault Final
Women's 400m Hurdles Final
Women's 800m Final
Men's 5000m Final
Men's 400m Hurdles Final
Men's 200m Final
Women's 200m Final

Sunday, 7 August

Session 1 - 10.15am
Men's Triple Jump Final
Women's 100m Hurdles Final
Men's 400m Final
Women's 400m Final
Men's 10,000m Race Walk Final
Women's Javelin Throw Final
Men's 4 x 100m Relay Final
Women's 4 x 100m Relay Final

Session 2 - 7.05pm
Women's Long Jump Final
Women's 1500m Final
Men's 800m Final
Men's Javelin Throw Final
Women's 5000m Final
Men's 4 x 400m Relay Final
Women's 4 x 400m Relay Final