Birmingham’s European Athletics Championships breaks host of records

The 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham became the largest in the event's history, featuring 1,645 athletes competing across 50 events for 157 medals, with 218,135 spectators attending over seven days. The competition produced two world records, four European records, 11 championship records, and 40 national records, with three evening sessions selling out completely. Great Britain and Northern Ireland finished second in the medal standings, equalling their best-ever gold tally with nine golds and 19 total medals, while BBC coverage attracted 17.2 million viewers and 63 million hours of viewing.