European Athletics senior staff and key members of Athletic Ventures Local Organising Committee for Birmingham 2026 have spent three days together this week (3-5 February) on a site visit to the hosts of the next European Athletics Championships.
With a little over 500 days to go until Great Britain hosts the European Athletics Championships for the first time ever, representatives from both parties explored key areas in an invaluable planning trip.
The group toured the Alexander Stadium, which also hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and heard an introductory presentation from the LOC. They also discussed the timetable, technology, road races, marketing and event services.
There was also an opportunity to explore ideas in working groups for competition, medical & anti-doping, IT & technology, TV broadcast & production, promotion, communications & media operations, event services, protocol & ceremonies and marketing.
A historic first
Cherry Alexander, Strategic Events Lead, UK Athletics and Vice President of European Athletics said: “Great Britain has always had a huge passion for athletics, the British people respond in their thousands when major events come to our country and have helped create some of the biggest sporting moments in our history.
“We have most memorably hosted the London 2012 Olympic Games, the London 2017 World Athletics Championships and multiple Commonwealth Games, World Indoor Championships and European Athletics Indoor Championships, but this will be the first time we have ever hosted an outdoor European Athletics Championships, so Birmingham 2026 is guaranteed to be a historic occasion.
“We are thrilled to bring the continent’s biggest athletics event to Birmingham, which hosted such a successful Commonwealth Games in 2022. Not only will the event strengthen Birmingham’s reputation as a major sporting venue, but deliver a memorable European Athletics Championships."
Vadim Nigmatov, Event Operations Director of European Athletics was part of the visit delegation. He said: “It was a really valuable three days in Birmingham to understand how the LOC are progressing. We are excited by the plans presented to us and have confidence that we are in good hands for our biggest event, the European Athletics Championships.
“As we build towards the event in August 2026, we look forward to close collaboration with LOC and all our event partners in making the Birmingham 2026 European Athletic Championships a special occasion for the entire athletics community across Europe.”
Chris Broadbent for European Athletics