The European Athletics Championships have drawn criticism for low attendance during the opening night in Birmingham. Amy Hunt claimed victory in the women’s 100 metres in front of a crowd that was less than half full at Alexander Stadium. The official attendance for Monday night’s event was 13,623, even though the venue can hold up to 23,000 spectators. Observers noted that the stadium appeared nearly empty, especially in the back sections and the newly named Matthew Hudson-Smith Stand.
Hunt’s agent commented on social media that ticket prices were unreasonable for such an event, according to The Sun. BBC commentator Steve Cram also expressed disappointment with the turnout during his live broadcast. He pointed out that many seats were vacant in the back areas of the stadium. Cram said he believed Birmingham would improve attendance as the event continues.
Ticket prices for Tuesday night’s sessions were set at £110 for Category A seats and £90 for Category B. Category C and D tickets cost £60 and £40 respectively, with the cheapest options still drawing limited interest. The Alexander Stadium is located far from central Birmingham, and public transport access is a major concern for spectators. Birmingham 2026 has promoted green travel as part of the event planning, discouraging car use.
The organization noted that Friday night sessions were nearly sold out, with some days close to full capacity. Despite the early low turnout, organizers said ticket sales exceeded their expectations.
The event is being broadcast live on terrestrial television, unlike recent Commonwealth Games coverage. British broadcaster Sonja McLaughlan criticized the ticket prices and noted that many fans were unable to afford the top seats. She questioned whether the high prices were justified for a sport that lacks major TV exposure outside of football season.
Some fans and commentators suggested that free tickets should be given to young athletes or club members, according to a report from aol.co.uk. Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who won the men’s 5,000 metres, said he wanted more fans but praised those who were present. He emphasized that the fans who attended were passionate and supportive of the sport.
The event comes ahead of London’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. London recently hosted a sold-out Diamond League meeting, which was the most attended athletics event in the world this year, AOL reported.
Criticism also came from fans who noted the lack of parking and long walks to the stadium. Transportation options include drop-off zones for taxis and ride-sharing services. The website states that Alexander Stadium will operate as a car-free venue and visitors should not drive to the venue.
Some fans expressed frustration with the lack of promotional efforts to boost attendance during early sessions. The event continues to draw attention as organizers aim to build momentum for future days of competition. Keely Hodgkinson is expected to be a major draw on Friday night when she competes in the women’s 800 metres. Tickets for her event are priced at £150 for Category A seats, which is higher than those for earlier sessions.
The overall situation has raised questions about how to balance ticket pricing and public accessibility in major sporting events.
IMAGE: Finale du relais 4 x 100 mètres féminin aux Jeux olympiques d’été de 2024. Photo: Daieuxetdailleurs / Wikimedia, taken 2024-08-09, CC BY 4.0