Organizers of the European championships have defended ticket prices in Birmingham after British sprinter Amy Hunt won the 100-meter final at a nearly half-empty Alexander Stadium.
One of Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson’s coaches was among those questioning prices and raising concerns about parking and the cost of food 鈥� with bratwurst hot dogs going for 15 pounds ($20).
The category A seats for Monday night’s session 鈥� which included 鈥� cost 150 pounds ($202). The cheapest adult ticket was 26 pounds ($35).
Official attendance Monday night was 13,623, though journalists on hand said the actual figure seemed lower, in a stadium with capacity at 23,000.
鈥淗earing from fans re high ticket prices, parking issues & even people not knowing it was taking place,鈥� Jenny Meadows, a coach of Hodgkinson, .
Commentator : 鈥淎ctually a bit shocked at type of prices being charged. It鈥檚 a shame for the athletes who deserve better. The sport has this precious window without football, free to air television exposure and it looks flat with such a sparse crowd.鈥�
The morning sessions 鈥� during which the athletes compete in qualifying rounds 鈥� offer lower prices. for Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s evening sessions top out at 110 pounds ($148), before reverting to the higher prices Thursday through Sunday.
Organizers said Tuesday that more than 50% of tickets were priced at 30 pounds ($40) and lower.
鈥淏irmingham 2026 is delighted with ticket sales for the championships, which have far surpassed our targets,鈥� they said in a statement. 鈥淔riday, Saturday and Sunday evening sessions are approaching sell-out, with several other sessions close to capacity.鈥�
The is Friday night and is expected to feature Hodgkinson, Audrey Werro and Femke Broeders-Bol.
Swedish pole vaulter Armand 鈥淢ondo鈥� Duplantis will be a highlight of the final session Sunday night. On Friday morning, children’s tickets are available at reduced costs to see Duplantis in qualifying.
鈥淭here are still opportunities to be part of the championships at incredibly good value, including the 鈥楳ondo鈥� 拢6.31 children鈥檚 ticket for Friday morning 鈥� named in honor of his world record 鈥� while a family of four can attend for as little as 拢30,鈥� organizers said.
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