Rain forecast for Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

7:26 pm on 4 April 2018

Commonwealth Games organisers are nervous about the weather as 150 of New Zealand's athletes prepare to march in tonight's opening ceremony.

The ceremony will kick off at 8pm local time (10pm NZT), and RNZ will be liveblogging the event.

The New Zealand Commonwealth Games 2018 team

Photo: Photosport

The New Zealand Olympic Team will be led into the ceremony by swimmer Sophie Pascoe, who was named as flag bearer yesterday. The 150 athletes will be joined by about 50 coaches and team officials.

Some athletes have chosen not to march as they begin competition tomorrow (as is typical for all Games).

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games chief executive Mark Peters told a media conference today he had prayed for good weather as there was rain forecast.

An estimated 1.5 billion people will tune in to watch the ceremony. Organisers said it would feature a celebration of Gold Coast beach life and indigenous culture in a three-hour showcase.

Guests will include Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla, as well as Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and New Zealand's Governer General Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascgoine.

An Australian broadcaster had its Games accreditation suspended after it broadcast rehearsal footage despite a strict embargo.

Protesters caused the Queen's Baton relay to be redirected this afternoon.