The city of Birmingham has been selected to host the European Athletics Championships in 2026.
This means that the Championships will be held in the UK for the first time.
The renovated Alexander Stadium, which was used when the Commonwealth Games took place in the city earlier this year, will be the venue for the event.
Before pulling out of the race, the biggest rival to England’s second-city was Budapest.
European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov, said, “I am absolutely delighted to announce that we have awarded the 2026 European Athletics Championships to Birmingham.
“The British public has a huge appreciation for world class athletics and the British crowds are among the most knowledgeable, passionate and enthusiastic anywhere in the world. We saw this recently at the Commonwealth Games where the stands were at full capacity, even for the morning sessions.
“We are sure that Europe’s best athletes will be competing in a full stadium every day and in front of a huge television audience not just in Europe but globally as well. We really couldn’t ask for a better host city and venue for our showcase event in 2026.”
UK Athletics (UKA) Chief Executive Jack Buckner, added, “UKA has held a long-time wish to deliver this event and we thank European Athletics for its faith in entrusting us with its most important competition.
UK Sport Chief Executive Sally Munday, commented, “Our vision for the Championships is about record-breaking ticket sales and an amazing atmosphere for athletes to be inspired inside and outside the stadium.
“We have promised to deliver an amazing, innovative and game-changing Championships, and we’re excited we can now put this plan into action.”
“Hosting the European Athletics Championships will be a fantastic opportunity to build on the legacy of the Commonwealth Games earlier this year and I know the British public will get behind the athletes and create a brilliant atmosphere in the Alexander Stadium.”
“We’ve seen throughout 2022 the significant economic and social benefits of hosting big sporting events in this country and hosting this mega-event will deliver huge benefits for the city of Birmingham, the West Midlands region and the whole of the United Kingdom.”
With 124 gold medals, Great Britain & NI is the most successful nation in European Athletics Championships history.
