With two months to go until the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships from 10-16 August 10-16, organisers surprised local athletics hero Matthew Hudson-Smith, by naming the extension of the North stand the Matthew Hudson-Smith Stand. The title will be in place until the end of the championships.
The European 400m record-holder is a part of a long legacy of athletics excellence from the West Midlands region. Having trained with Birchfield Harriers and proudly from Wolverhampton, the sprinter has previously stated his wish for the back straight of his home stadium to carry his name.
Cherry Alexander, Championship Director for Birmingham 2026, said: “Matthew is a true homegrown star, and we were delighted to welcome him home by unveiling the Matthew Hudson-Smith Stand for Birmingham 2026 with his family and peers in attendance.
“Matthew’s international achievements are inspiring a future generation to dig deep, and this stand is a celebration of that. We hope to fill the stand with young local fans, and maybe even the next Matthew-Hudson Smith will be in the crowd watching him compete in front of a home crowd this August.”
Matthew Hudson-Smith visited Alexander Stadium to talk about the road to the European Athletics Championships and while there, was surprised by the stand name unveiling in a special moment attended by his family, his first coach Sharon Morris, alongside former sprinter and Team GB 4x400m Team Coach, Martyn Rooney with representatives of Birmingham 2026, Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Combined Authority also in attendance.
Matthew Hudson-Smith, said: “It caught me off-guard walking in to see the stand is going to be named after me, and it was a special moment to share it with my family. It’s just an indication of all the hard work I’ve put in and to get a stand named after me is the icing on the cake of a great career and now I want to add more to it at Europeans.”
Hudson-Smith, is no stranger to honours, with two Olympic medals (silver in 400m at Paris and 4x400m relay bronze), four European titles, and a World Championships silver medal. He is also the fifth-fastest athlete in the 400m in history.
Thousands of local children will be attending the event this August, the first time the European Athletics Championships has been staged in the UK, and organisers are keen to inspire the next generation of athletes.
Fans from across the West Midlands and beyond will have a chance to see Matthew’s world-class talent up close this summer and can sit together in the Matthew Hudson-Smith Stand to give him a hero’s roar as he races by in the 400m events.
Matthew Hudson-Smith, added: “Birmingham for me is home. I miss the people, I miss the food, I miss the environment. I always try and represent home to the best of my ability. It just means the world to me to come back here, run and show my talents to kids from the area to show them that they can do it.”
The European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026 will see over 1,600 athletes from 48 nations compete for glory. With 44 gold medals to be won across the seven evening sessions, fans will see history being made under the floodlights. Many of Europe’s biggest names are expected to target their 2026 summer ambitions at Birmingham - making this a superb chance for fans to witness world-class performances on home soil.
Chris Jordan, Director of Neighbourhoods, Culture, Leisure & Sport at Birmingham City Council who took part in the reveal, said: “It’s fantastic to join partners in celebrating local boy Matthew Hudson-Smith and his success on the international stage, and how that journey has been shaped by his beginnings at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.
“As we look ahead to the European Athletics Championships this August, I wish him and all of Team GB & NI the very best of luck. Birmingham is buzzing for the championships, and we can’t wait to welcome athletes, fans and visitors from across the UK, Europe and around the world to experience our warm Brummie welcome first hand.”
Ed Cox, chief executive at West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), said: “Matthew is a real inspiration to every young person in this region. He has become a top-class athlete thanks to way his natural talent was recognised and nurtured by his local athletics club.
“The Mayor has made improving the prospects and wellbeing of young people a top priority and our job at the WMCA is to make sure they can access the same support, pathways and opportunities Matthew had.
“We hope having his name on the stand at the Alexander Stadium will inspire him to achieve even more success when he competes here later this year and show those sitting in the seats, they can also reach their full potential through a combination of skill, hard work and our support.”
