Will probably be the primary time in historical past that the UK will host the occasion because it takes place in August 2026
In 500 days, the UK will host the European Athletics Championships for the primary time ever, and to mark the event, organisers gathered in Birmingham right now (March 28) to disclose the occasion’s official branding and open registration for precedence ticket entry.
Going down at Perry Barr’s Alexander Stadium from August 10-16, 2026, the Championships will deliver collectively a few of the world’s finest athletes, all combating for medals in entrance of UK athletics followers.
Birmingham’s electrical crowds performed a vital position within the success of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Video games and followers will as soon as once more have the possibility to observe their favorite athletes within the West Midlands.
This would be the UK’s first time enjoying host to the European Championships, which came about in Rome in 2024. The choice marks a milestone for a rustic that has lengthy been probably the most profitable nation in European athletics.
At European stage, Britain’s world champion sprinter Dina Asher-Smith has racked up eight medals, whereas native hero and Olympic 400m silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith has seven to his title. A few of Britain’s largest monitor performers – Roger Black (400m), Linford Christie (100m and 200m), and Martyn Rooney (400m) – have every claimed six medals, whereas Colin Jackson (110m hurdles) and Steve Backley (javelin) are probably the most profitable in a single particular person occasion, successful 4 golds every.
Dina Asher-Smith (Getty)
It’ll even be the primary time the UK has staged a serious out of doors athletics championship because the record-breaking World Championships in London in 2017.
Jack Buckner, UK Athletics chief government and European 5000m gold medallist in 1986, stated: “Birmingham has a confirmed monitor document of delivering world-class sporting occasions, with Birmingham 2022 drawing sell-out crowds to the Alexander Stadium – Birmingham 2026 shall be no exception.
“With Nice Britain and Northern Eire going into the Championships as probably the most profitable nation in historical past, we’re able to placed on a present.”
The 2026 Championships shall be delivered by Athletic Ventures – a three way partnership comprising UK Athletics, The Nice Run Firm and London Marathon Occasions. Athletic Ventures was fashioned with the intention of remodeling the longer term and progress of athletics within the UK and has already seen nice success in delivering the sell-out London Diamond League occasions in 2023 and 2024.
Cherry Alexander, vice chairman of European Athletics and championship director for Birmingham 2026, stated: “It’s actually taken a very long time for these Championships to come back to the UK, however they’ve all the time been a favorite of mine. This prestigious occasion not solely showcases the very best of European athletics but additionally highlights the significance of sport in uniting communities and provoking the following technology of athletes.
“With Birmingham’s ardour for athletics and the wealthy historical past of the Alexander Stadium showcasing world class occasions, we may have the right stage for these Championships. Athletic Ventures working in partnership with European Athletics, will present a platform for standout performances and unforgettable moments, we stay up for placing on a present for followers and athletes alike subsequent yr.”
Amber Anning and Jeremiah Azu (UKA)
Two British athletes, world indoor champions Amber Anning and Jeremiah Azu, are eagerly anticipating the possibility to race in entrance of a house crowd with their sights set on standing atop the European podium.
Anning continues to be driving the wave of pleasure after her historic world indoor 400m victory in Nanjing, the place she grew to become the primary British girl to say the world indoor 400m title. Immediately, she joined the celebrations in Birmingham, sharing her enthusiasm on the prospect of successful a medal there in 2026.
In 2024, Anning made it to the Olympic ultimate in Paris, the place she broke Christine Ohuruogu’s longstanding British document and completed fifth. She additionally earned two bronze medals within the relay occasions.
Amber Anning (Getty)
“I’m so excited,” she stated. “This the primary time ever the European Championships have been within the UK which is loopy, I can’t truly imagine that. The British followers are the very best followers on this planet and I feel everybody can agree with that based mostly on the London Diamond League and the way many individuals we get to come back out and help.
“I feel that is going to be superb. It’s at a good time of yr, it’s a quick monitor and the Commonwealth Video games have been so profitable and I feel this one shall be even larger and higher.”
Becoming a member of Anning within the pleasure is Azu, who’s celebrating being topped each the European indoor 60m champion and the world indoor 60m champion.
Jeremiah Azu (Getty)
Azu has skilled the electrical environment of Birmingham’s athletics followers firsthand, having competed for Wales within the 2022 Commonwealth Video games, the place he positioned fifth within the 100m and gained a bronze medal within the 4x100m.
“Even simply being in Birmingham is getting me excited, I wish to put my spikes on and get on the monitor,” he stated. “I can’t wait to compete right here, we have now the British Championships and World Championship trials right here in a pair months so to come back again in 500 days, hopefully I’ll be competing for some extra medals.
“The British followers are the very best followers on this planet, they’re so educated and so participating which is massively necessary so to know we’re going to be representing them and placing the flag on our chest for them goes to be particular. It’s going to be one among our lifetime moments.”
Followers who register for precedence entry through Birmingham26.com would be the first to know when tickets go on sale this summer time. Sports activities fans and volunteers also can join updates on the best way to get entangled within the Championships.
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