STORY
Organisers of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham have faced criticism over ticket and other spectator costs after large numbers of seats remained empty during the opening stages of the competition at Alexander Stadium. More than 13,000 spectators were officially recorded on the opening evening, although significant sections of the 23,000 capacity stadium were visibly unoccupied.
Ticket prices have been among the main areas of criticism. For Tuesday evening, category A seats cost £110 and category B tickets £90, while category C and D seats were priced at £60 and £40 respectively. Prices for some later evening sessions rise to £150 for category A seats, although the cheapest category E tickets for those sessions are £26.
The cost of food and transport has also attracted attention. Spectators have reported prices including £18.50 for a barbecue pork roll, £15 for a bratwurst hot dog and £3.95 for a bottle of water. The park and ride service costs £22.50, while a £17.50 park and walk option involves a journey of around 45 minutes on foot.
Former world 1500 metres champion and BBC athletics commentator Steve Cram expressed disappointment at the number of spectators, while Nick Harwell, the agent of British sprinter Amy Hunt, criticised the ticket prices following Hunt’s victory in the women’s 100 metres. Jenny Meadows, who coaches Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, also said she had heard concerns from supporters about ticket prices, parking and a lack of awareness that the championships were taking place.
Birmingham 2026 organisers have defended their pricing structure, saying half of all tickets cost £30 or less and adult tickets started at £10. They said ticket sales had exceeded their targets, with the Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening sessions approaching sellout and several other sessions close to capacity.
The championships are being staged in Britain for the first time and run at Alexander Stadium from 10 to 16 August. The debate over attendance comes as London prepares its bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, with the final presentation for that bid due to take place this week.