With 500 days to go until the UK hosts the European Athletics Championships for the first time, organisers marked the milestone in Birmingham today by unveiling the event’s official brand and launching sign-ups for priority ticket access.
The Championships, which take place at Perry Barr’s Alexander Stadium from 10-16 August 2026, will see some of the world’s best athletes compete for medals in front of the world’s best athletics supporters.
After the huge success of the 2022 Commonwealth Games where the home nation support rallied to push athletes across the line through pure decibel-power, fans now have the chance to play that part again in what will be an historic sporting occasion for the West Midlands.
It will be the first time in history that the UK will host Europe’s premier track and field competition – an event that the GB & NI team are the most successful nation ever in Europe. It is also the first time the UK is hosting an outdoor major athletics Championship since the Guinness world-record breaking London 2017 World Championships.
Birmingham 2026 will be the inaugural major athletics championship to be delivered by Athletic Ventures – a joint venture comprising UK Athletics, The Great Run Company and London Marathon Events. Athletic Ventures was formed with the aim of transforming the future and growth of athletics in the UK and has already seen great success in delivering the sell-out London Diamond League events in 2023 and 2024.
At European level, Britain’s world champion sprinter Dina Asher-Smith has racked up eight medals, while local hero and Olympic 400m silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith has seven to his name. Some of Britain’s biggest track performers – Roger Black (400m), Linford Christie (100m and 200m), and Martyn Rooney (400m) – have each claimed six medals, while Colin Jackson (110m hurdles) and Steve Backley (javelin) are the most successful in one individual event, winning four golds apiece.
Fans who register for priority access via Birmingham26.com will be the first to know when tickets go on sale this summer. Sports enthusiasts and volunteers can also sign up for updates on how to get involved in the Championships and be the first to hear about the latest news.
Birmingham’s electric crowds played a crucial role in the success of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and now supporters have the chance to recreate that magic and drive Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s athletes to the podium once again.
Jack Buckner, UK Athletics Chief Executive and European gold medallist, said: “Birmingham has a proven track record of delivering world-class sporting events, with Birmingham 2022 drawing sell-out crowds to the Alexander Stadium – Birmingham 2026 will be no exception. With Great Britain and Northern Ireland going into the Championships as the most successful nation in history, we’re ready to put on a show.”
Cherry Alexander OBE, Vice President of European Athletics and Championship Director for Birmingham 2026, said “It’s certainly taken a long time for these Championships to come to the UK, but they have always been a favourite of mine. This prestigious event not only showcases the best of European athletics but also highlights the importance of sport in uniting communities and inspiring the next generation of athletes.
“With Birmingham’s passion for athletics and the rich history of the Alexander Stadium showcasing world class events, we will have the perfect stage for these Championships. Athletic Ventures working in partnership with European Athletics, will provide a platform for standout performances and unforgettable moments, we look forward to putting on a show for fans and athletes alike next year.”
Olympic and European champion, Keely Hodgkinson, said: “I can’t wait for the European Championships in 2026, nothing excites me more than competing in front of a home crowd where I hopefully will defend my title from Rome! See you there!”
Olympic and European medallist, Georgia Bell, said: “I can’t wait for the European Championships to be held next year in Birmingham. There’s nothing quite like a home crowd roar in a sprint finish. I was privileged to compete in Glasgow for a home world indoors, but I think the Birmingham crowd will be even louder and more passionate behind the team.”
Double Olympic medallist, Josh Kerr, said: “Having a home championship in 2026 is an incredible opportunity not only for the athletes competing but for the UK athletics community and fanbase. The energy that our home crowd brings is like nowhere else in the World and I can’t wait to get another opportunity to experience that in my career at a point where I feel like I’m competing at my highest level. It’s going to be a special championship!”
Amber Anning, double Olympic medallist and 400m World Indoor Champion, said:“Competing in an event of this scale on home soil at this stage of my career is really exciting. The European Athletics Championships is such an important milestone, and having the chance to perform in front of a home crowd for the first time will be incredible. I know how passionate British fans are about athletics, and I can’t wait to be part of that atmosphere next year.”
World and European Indoor champions and European gold medallist in the 4 x 100m relay, Jeremiah Azu, said: “Competing at the Alexander Stadium for Team Wales during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was an unbelievable experience – the atmosphere was amazing, and the home crowd really got behind the athletes. To have another major athletics event back in Birmingham is fantastic and I can’t wait to feel the support of the fans once again.”
2024 World Indoor Champion Molly Caudery, who took bronze at the 2024 European Athletics Championships, said: “I have extremely fond memories of competing at the Alexander Stadium after winning silver there during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The home support and atmosphere were like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I feel so lucky that we get the opportunity to compete there again when the European Athletics Championships comes to the UK for the first time next summer – I cannot wait.”
President of UK Athletics Denise Lewis said: “It is beyond exciting to have a major championships coming back to Birmingham; a city that knows how to host sell-out sporting events. The Europeans is the jewel in our illustrious hosting record for the UK and it’ll not only be amazing for the locals, but also for the athletes who get to compete on home soil. I’m expecting to see huge crowds and big stars will want to compete here as it’s a city that has a lot to offer.”
Sally Gunnell, Olympic Champion and two-time European medallist, said: “The UK hosting the European Athletics Championships for the first time is history in the making. We’ve seen how Birmingham delivers on the big stage, and I can’t wait to see a packed Alexander Stadium bringing the noise next summer. It’s going to be something very special.”
Jonathan Edwards, Olympic Champion and Triple Jump world record holder and two-time European medallist, commented: “The European Athletics Championships is one of the biggest stages in our sport so it’s fantastic that it’s coming to the UK for the first time. Birmingham 2026 is going to be an unforgettable event, and with a home crowd behind them, GB & Northern Ireland’s athletes will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make history.”
Colin Jackson, World Champion, former world record holder and four-time European champion, said: “Great Britain and Northern Ireland have an incredible legacy at the European Athletics Championship and being a part of the most successful team in the history of this event is truly special. Having the chance to compete at this event on home soil is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity and is something I wish I’d had the chance to experience in my career. The energy from the crowd in Birmingham will lift the athletes and inspire incredible performances, making this championship one to remember.”
Dundee’s Eilish McColgan who is a four-time European medallist and European World Record holder in the 10km road race, said: “Competing at the Alexander Stadium during the 2022 Commonwealth Games was such a memorable experience for me. The atmosphere was incredible and having the home crowd behind us made it even more special. For the GB & NI team, having that level of support again for the European Championships will be amazing as it’ll give everyone an extra boost to perform at their best.”
Two-time European Champion, Martyn Rooney, said: “The European Athletics Championships will always hold a very special place in my heart. It’s an event that every athlete looks to as a major milestone in their professional careers, and to have it on home soil in Birmingham will mean so much to the current generation of athletes. Although I was so privileged to win gold, I never had the chance to compete in a home European Championship, so I can only imagine how exciting it will be for those who do. Now that I am on the other side of the fence, I’m excited to see how the athletes perform with the home crowd behind them – it’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
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