Editing Commonwealth Games (section)

=== Opening ===

[[File:Comm Games 2006 finale.JPG|thumb|Opening ceremony of the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]] at [[Melbourne]]]]

The opening ceremony typically starts with the hoisting of the host country's flag and a performance of its national anthem. The flag of the Commonwealth Games Federation, flag of the last hosting nation and the next hosting nation are also hosted during the opening ceremony. The host nation then presents artistic displays of music, singing, dance and theatre representative of its culture. The artistic presentations have grown in scale and complexity as successive hosts attempt to provide a ceremony that outlasts its predecessor's in terms of memorability. The opening ceremony of the Delhi Games reportedly cost $70 million, with much of the cost incurred in the artistic segment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/randomaccess/the-cwg-opening-show-reality-rs-350-crore/|title=The CWG opening show reality: Rs 350 crore|work=[[The Times of India]] Blog|access-date=21 August 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707180834/http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/randomaccess/the-cwg-opening-show-reality-rs-350-crore/|archive-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the artistic portion of the ceremony, the athletes parade into the stadium grouped by nation. The last hosting nation is traditionally the first nation to enter. Nations then enter the stadium alphabetical or continental wise with the host country's athletes being the last to enter. Speeches are given, formally opening the Games. Finally, the [[Queen's Baton Relay|King's Baton]] is brought into the stadium and passed on until it reaches the final baton carrier, often a successful Commonwealth athlete from the host nation, who hands it over to the [[Head of the Commonwealth]] or his representative.