Birmingham has been encouraged to mount a bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games by Prime Minister David Cameron.

The Conservative Party leader said that while it was up to Birmingham to decide whether it wanted to bid for the event, he said “our second city should think big and be ambitious”.

Talking to the Birmingham Mail, Cameron said a bid would coincide with the government’s plan to drive economic growth in the West Midlands with projects such as HS2 .

Stressing that it was “a matter for Birmingham” to decide, he said: “I always think Birmingham should think big and be ambitious. That’s what the Midlands Engine is all about. That’s what the devolution deal is about. That’s what HS2 is about. That’s what the expansion of Birmingham Airport is about.”

He added: “The government, we will be encouraging people because we are big enthusiasts for the Commonwealth Games. We know these sporting events can be transformational for cities.”

If Birmingham does throw its hat into the ring, it will join Liverpool and potentially Cardiff as viable British destinations for the Games.

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson made a Commonwealth Games bid part of his manifesto for re-election, and he was duly voted back in as mayor earlier this month.

In an exclusive interview with Sports Management, Anderson said a winning bid would contribute to the regeneration of the city and cement the government’s plans to create a Northern Powerhouse.