European Athletics Championships in Birmingham: Low Attendance and High Prices Spark Criticism

The Leichtathletik-EM in Birmingham has encountered early scrutiny regarding ticket demand and venue pricing, as tournament organizers navigate the opening days of the European Athletics competition. According to reports from the venue, nearly 10,000 of the 23,000 available seats remained empty during the opening session, highlighting an attendance challenge for the early-week schedule.

Attendance Figures and Venue Demographics at Alexander Stadium

The opening sessions at Alexander Stadium drew sparse crowds across the lower and upper tiers, with stadium turnstiles reflecting a marked gap between capacity and actual turnout. Local media and on-site observers noted that a significant number of spectators occupied the stands, leaving close to 10,000 seats vacant as the continental championships got underway.

Food and beverage costs within the venue perimeter have also come under fire from attending fans, with standard stadium fare—such as a hotdog accompanied by french fries—priced at the equivalent of roughly 17.50 euros.

Despite the subdued atmosphere during the initial qualifying rounds and early track events, event promoters anticipate a sharp rise in spectator numbers as the competition progresses toward the weekend.

Competition Schedule and Weekend Outlook

Organizers remain confident that the empty rows will vanish once the marquee finals take center stage. The championships bring together Europe’s elite track and field athletes to compete across a packed weekend program.