Birmingham City Council has declared the 2026 European Athletics Championships a success after a week of competition at Alexander Stadium and across the city centre.
The event concluded on Sunday with three successive sold-out evening sessions. Total attendance reached 218,135 across seven days, surpassing ticket sales targets set by event organisers.
Records and performances
The Championships produced 16 competition records and four European records. Two world records were set in the women's marathon and half-marathon race walks.
Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland finished second on the medal table. The team's 100m sprinters secured a clean sweep of gold medals across individual and relay events. Amy Hunt won four gold medals. Dina Asher-Smith became the European Championships' all-time most decorated athlete.
Free events and fan activities
Saturday's race walking events and Sunday's marathons took place in the city centre free of charge for spectators.
Champions Square, a fanzone in Centenary Square funded by Birmingham City Council's 'Together on Culture' programme, drew thousands of visitors. The Unity 1k and 5k races gave fans the chance to win their own medals from the Championships.
Planning and legacy
Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Community Leisure Trust, which manages Alexander Stadium, supported planning and delivery led by the local organising committee Athletic Ventures. Funding partners included UK Sport, DCMS and WMCA.
The Championships mark the first of three successive summers of major events in Birmingham. The Invictus Games will take place next summer, followed by four UEFA EURO 2028 Games at Villa Park.
The impact programme 'Beyond' will provide support and funding to help young people get active and involved in community sport, alongside jobs and skills development through the Birmingham Major Events Skills Academy, student placements and volunteering.