With less than 200 days to go to the European Athletics Championships, Birmingham 2026 has today (5) announced new ways for groups to attend.
Groups of nine or more people will now, for the first time, be able to book together to attend the championships and see world-class athletes competing on a weekday morning. The new offer and benefits will enable more people to come and experience athletics for the first time along with friends, family and fellow interest groups and be inspired by the sport.
With a focus on reaching schools, youth clubs and community groups with the group-friendly package, the initiative was officially announced this morning at Ferndale Primary School with West Midlands athletics legend and Olympic gold medallist Mark Lewis-Francis.
Ferndale is a primary school in the shadow of Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, based in Great Barr not far from the stadium’s Perry Barr home. With the European Championships coming to their doorstep this summer, the school hopes the pupils will continue to be inspired by athletics to lead active lives.
Mark Lewis-Francis Encourages Ferndale Primary Pupils to Dream Big
The morning opened with an assembly with the 2004 Olympic 4x100m champion, where the youngsters took part in a Q&A, before heading out the take part in a Daily Mile. For the afternoon, Mark visited various classes, giving pupil’s a chance to speak with him in smaller groups.
David Moore, PE Lead for Ferndale Primary School, said: “To have a local hero like Mark Lewis-Francis come in is really inspiring for the kids, he brings to life what they can go on to achieve as well.
“They got to ask questions and hear his knowledge and wisdom, which is priceless.
“The fact that Mark was a part of a local running club, and went to school not far away from here, makes it feel even more achievable for our students – a hero from our area.”
Lewis-Francis said: "It's been brilliant to see the kids who may not know who I am and then see them watch a video of me competing, it just puts a massive smile on my face."
"It's exciting to see all the kids getting into running, during an exciting time for Birmingham with a major championship coming to our city - the European Athletics Championships is always an amazing competition and it’s brilliant to see it coming to my home city.
“Hearing how motivated the kids all are to achieve their dreams, and even meeting some new Birchfield Harriers, was incredible.
“I feel proud and privileged to be able to come and hopefully inspire these kids to keep dreaming big and chasing their goals.”
Junior tickets from just £5!
The Group Ticket sales window will be open from 4 March, and interested groups can sign up now to be the first to know when tickets go live.
Group Tickets are split into three categories: children and young persons, adult groups and mixed-age groups.
For groups with mostly children and young people (16 and under), such as schools or summer clubs, purchasers will unlock all their young person’s tickets for £5 and, for every nine young person’s tickets purchased, receive two free accompanying adult tickets.
On top of tickets, groups will also receive the official Birmingham 2026 educational resource, ‘Beyond Limits’, which will both feed into the curriculum and come with fun activities relevant for group settings.
Schools that sign up for tickets will also be entered into a draw to win a visit from an Olympian to their school in the summer term, helping more students meet sporting legends and be inspired.
For adult and mixed groups, when booking for nine or more people everyone will get access to the £5 ticket price, previously only available to children.
Group Tickets will be for morning sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the Championships, where some of the world’s biggest names will be competing to qualify for finals to have a chance at winning a European title. Highlights across the eligible sessions will include opening rounds for the 100m sprints, qualifications throws and jumps, heats for decathlon, and semi-finals for 400m and 800m sprints and 400m hurdles.
Interested groups can sign up now to join the mailing list to be the first to know when group tickets go on sale on 4 March 2026.
The championships sessions will be a super opportunity for fans to see amazing athletes in action in what will be the biggest athletics event in the world this year. With Great Britain & Northern Ireland the most successful nation in European Athletics Championships history, it promises to be an exciting week of action when the event takes place this August.
Cherry Alexander, Championship Director for Birmingham 2026, said: “Athletics is a truly incredible sport, and the UK home of it is right here in Birmingham! It’s diverse, inclusive and varied – offering everyone, no matter who they are, a way to get involved and give it a go. The Great Britain and Northern Ireland team is the most successful nation in European Athletics Championships history, and our legends have come from all walks of life, including from right here in the heart of the West Midlands. We’re delighted to be welcoming more groups to come and watch world class athletes competing this summer. Who knows, one of our group ticket holders might be the gold medallist of tomorrow!”
Schools and Youth Groups at Birmingham 2026
Register your details to access free primary and secondary school resources designed to help teachers and group leaders prepare for the Championships. These resources include information on our athlete school-visit prize draw, session planning ideas, simple guides for what to expect on the day, transportation details, etc.
Sign up now and you will be the first to receive updates when materials are released.
