Birmingham on course to win bid to host 2026 European Athletics Championships

Birmingham city is hoping to host the 2026 European Athletics Championships after reports that that rival bidder Budapest has pulled out of the race to host the sporting event.

It appears that Budapest has informed the European Athletics that it would pulling out of the race which leaves Birmingham as the front runner to host the popular event.

After the hugely successful Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games it looks like another major sporting event is coming to the city in 2026.

Birmingham officials are awaiting the news of the city being confirmed with much excitement. The UK has never hosted this sporting event so if Birmingham wins the bid it will be a real achievement.

The city, still basking in the positive feedback received during the Commonwealth Games, has already received news that it will host the 2023 UK Athletics Indoor Championships.

If Birmingham wins the bid to host the 2026 European Athletics Championships the venue for the event will be the Alexander Stadium which was used for the Commonwealth Games.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “We have a first-class record for hosting international sporting events in Birmingham and the positive impact they have for our people and businesses is very clear.

“They strengthen the city’s identity, attract new visitors, grow our economy and promote Birmingham nationally and internationally as a welcoming, diverse, youthful and inclusive city.

“That’s why we published a new Major Sporting Events Strategy last year, to ensure we develop a portfolio of future events, which capitalises on the springboard of our hosting of the Commonwealth Games in a way that maximises the benefit for the people of the city as far as possible. Major events motivate local people, encouraging greater participation in sport and culture, helping improve physical and mental health and wellbeing.

“The redeveloped Alexander Stadium, recent host to the Diamond League and already hailed as the best athletics stadium in the UK, underlines our compelling credentials as a perfect host for European Championships in 2026 – we have excellent facilities, in a city and wider region that loves sport, which also has a bold plan for a sustainable legacy from all events that it stages.

“We feel the time is right for Birmingham to become the first UK host of these fantastic championships.”