The 1974 British Commonwealth Games were held in Christchurch, New Zealand from 24 January to 2 February 1974. The bid vote was held in Edinburgh at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games. The event was officially named "the friendly games". There were 1,276 competitors and 372 officials, according to the official history, and public attendance was excellent. The main venue was the QEII Park, purpose-built for this event. The Athletics Stadium and fully covered Olympic standard pool, diving tank, and practice pools were all on the one site. The theme song was "Join Together", sung by Steve Allen. The event was held after the 1974 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Dunedin for wheelchair athletes.
Queen Elizabeth II Stadium was a multi-use stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand, located in a large park called Queen Elizabeth II Park. The stadium had a capacity of 25,000 people and was built in 1973 to host the 1974 British Commonwealth Games, with a temporary 10,000 seat western stand erected for that event to take the capacity to 35,000. The stadium suffered some damage in the September 2010 Canterbury earthquake but was able to reopen, only to be damaged beyond repair in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
The men's 400 metres event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 25 and 26 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The men's 5000 metres event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 27 and 29 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The men's 800 metres event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 27 and 29 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The women's 1500 metres event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 31 January and 2 February at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The women's 400 metres event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 25 and 26 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The women's 4 × 100 metres relay event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 31 January and 2 February at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The men's 10,000 metres event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 25 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The men's 3000 metres steeplechase event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 26 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The men's high jump event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 29 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The men's pole vault event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 31 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The men's long jump event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 27 and 29 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The women's long jump event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 29 and 31 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The men's triple jump event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 31 January and 2 February at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The women's shot put event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 27 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The women's discus throw event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 26 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The men's discus throw event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 31 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The men's hammer throw event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 25 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The women's javelin throw event at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was held on 29 January at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Christchurch, New Zealand.
