NICOLE Kidman is to be the special guest of the National Australia Bank at the Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies.

The Oscar-winning actor has been invited to the bank’s VIP parties in the MCC Long Room on March 15 and 26. The NAB has hired the world-famous Long Room for both ceremonies, where it will wine and dine up to 500 businessman, dignitaries and celebrities.

Kidman is expected to have most of March free between movie commitments. She has not been invited to the official VIP box in the MCC committee room to be hosted by M2006 chairman Ron Walker.

The bank, which has poured more than $20 million into the Games as a top-tier sponsor, would not comment on who it had invited. “NAB is inviting a lot of people . . . but the guest list will remain private,” a spokesman said yesterday.

Sponsors Qantas, Telstra, Visa, Tabcorp, Toyota and Microsoft will also host elaborate functions.