Brussels will not host the European Athletics Championships in 2030 after European Athletics awarded the tournament to Helsinki, a decision described by Belgian officials as a surprise, according to RTBF.
Brussels Bid Rejected in Lausanne
Three cities initially submitted bids to host the 2030 championships: Brussels, Helsinki, and Zurich. After Zurich withdrew from the process, European Athletics evaluated the remaining two bids on Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland, as reported by La Libre. The continental governing body ultimately selected Helsinki, bypassing the Belgian capital’s proposal.
Patrick Van Waes, representing the Belgian delegation, told the BELGA news agency that the bid team left their presentation feeling confident. He stated that the delegation answered all questions to the satisfaction of the evaluation panel, adding that the proposed budget and organizational capacity met no resistance from officials. According to Van Waes, certain members of the European Council indicated prior to the vote that the Belgian bid held strong prospects.
“We are all profoundly disappointed,” Van Waes said. “Our dossier was solid. The city of Brussels, the athletics federations, and Golazo have consented to many efforts for this candidature.”
Belgium Proposes Stade Roi Baudouin for 2030 Bid
The Belgian bid centered around 2030 as a symbolic year marking the bicentenary of Belgium and the centenary of the King Baudouin Stadium, known locally as the Stade Roi Baudouin. Ported by the City of Brussels, Belgian Athletics, and the partner company Golazo—with representatives such as Bob Verbeeck leading the effort—the project also secured backing from the regional and federal governments, according to La Libre.
The venue previously missed out on hosting matches for the UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament and has faced recurring criticism regarding acoustics during large concerts.
European Athletics Dobromir Karamarinov noted that the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, renovated in 2020, stands among the most historic athletics venues. Helsinki previously hosted the European Championships in 1971, 1994, and 2012, whereas Brussels has staged the event only once, in 1950, according to La Libre records.
European Athletics CEO Christian Milz emphasized the established audience and engagement in Finland, pointing to high television viewing figures during past championships held in the country. Paavo Arhinmäki, the deputy-mayor of Helsinki, cited urban mobility, pedestrian access, public safety, and general city atmosphere as advantages for athletes and spectators.
Unanswered Questions for Belgian Athletics
Despite detailed preparations, the Belgian delegation received no specific explanation from European Athletics regarding why Helsinki was favored over Brussels. Van Waes confirmed that officials departed the selection process without feedback on the shortcomings of their dossier.
Van Waes stated that all involved parties plan to convene in the near future to review the outcome and discuss whether the country will pursue another major international competition in the coming years.
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