The 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham have come under criticism over high ticket prices and the presence of numerous empty seats at the Alexander Stadium. Although organisers reported that more than 13,000 spectators attended on Monday to watch Amy Hunt win the 100m, the venue, which has a capacity of 23,000, featured large sections of unoccupied seats, particularly in the lower-priced categories. The situation has raised concerns among athletes, coaches, commentators and fans, who question whether the cost of attending the championships is keeping casual spectators away.
The debate has also extended to prices inside and around the stadium, at a particularly sensitive moment for British athletics. Category A tickets reached £110, while categories B, C and D were priced at £90, £60 and £40 respectively, although prices rose to £150 for the final three days of competition. Added to this are food and transport costs: a pulled pork sandwich costs £18.50, a bratwurst £15 and a bottle of water £3.95, while the nearest park-and-ride option costs £22.50.
Empty stands fuel debate over ticket prices
Images from the Alexander Stadium during Monday’s session raised further questions about the pricing policy. While Birmingham 2026 said ticket sales had exceeded its targets and that half of all available tickets were priced at £30 or less, some of the lower-priced sections were precisely those with the lowest occupancy. The £40 and £60 seats left large areas empty, while the more expensive sections recorded comparatively higher attendance. For some observers, the issue is not solely the cost of tickets, but also the organisation’s ability to attract people who are not part of athletics’ traditional audience.
Criticism has also come from within the sport itself. Steve Cram, former 1,500m world champion and leading athletics commentator for the BBC, described the attendance as disappointing and particularly highlighted the empty sections along the home straight. Nick Harwell, Hunt’s agent, summed up his reaction after the British sprinter’s victory with a direct criticism of the prices, while Jenny Meadows, Keely Hodgkinson’s coach, said she had received comments from fans pointing not only to ticket costs, but also to parking problems and a lack of awareness that the championships were taking place.
Prices, transport and an experience raising concerns
The discussion is not limited to access to the stadium. Fans have also questioned the cost of food and the difficulties involved in getting to and from the venue, factors that can significantly increase the cost of a day out for a family. The park-and-ride service costs £22.50, although there is a cheaper £17.50 option that requires a walk of around 45 minutes to the stadium. On top of this, evening sessions finish after 9:50pm, making the journey home more difficult for those relying on public transport. The nearest railway station is approximately 1.5 kilometres away, while the closure of junctions 10-11 of the M6 on Monday night added another inconvenience.
Sonja McLaughlan, an athletics commentator, also focused on ticket prices, which will reach £150 during the final days of competition. The situation has prompted some fans to suggest alternatives such as giving available tickets to young athletes from athletics clubs and other sports organisations. At the same time, Birmingham 2026 has defended its pricing policy, highlighting adult tickets from £10, a £6.31 Mondo children’s ticket for Friday morning’s session and an offer allowing a family of four to attend for £30. However, the perception of a costly experience remains linked not only to the price of admission, but also to food, transport and session times.
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