The European Athletics Championships is set to take place for the first time ever in the UK, bringing Europe’s top athletes to Birmingham for a week of world class athletics 10-16 August.
As the official university, BCU will play a vital role in supporting the delivery of the event while creating meaningful opportunities for its students and staff.
Through the partnership, students and staff from BCU will benefit from a wide range of opportunities linked to the Championships, including volunteering roles, paid positions, and industry-relevant experience across areas such as sport, events, media, and design.
The collaboration will also see BCU host the European Athletics Championships' Future Leaders Forum, providing an authentic and inspiring setting for future-focused conversations around leadership, innovation, and sustainability.
The partnership also reflects a shared commitment to creating a lasting legacy whereby BCU will play an active role in supporting the Championships’ Beyond 26 impact plans, aligning with its own “Beyonder” ethos to drive community engagement and sustainable initiatives.
The partnership demonstrates BCU’s commitment to accelerating opportunities for staff and students and its commitment to its role as an exemplar anchor institution in the region.
BCU’s world-class Sports and Exercise Sciences courses, based at the iconic Alexander Stadium, will further support the successful delivery of the event and enhance the experience for athletes and visitors alike.
Jack Buckner, CEO of UK Athletics, said: “It’s great to welcome Birmingham City University who will play such an important role in the European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026.
Partnerships like this are central to what we’re building through Athletic Ventures—bringing together expertise from across sport and communities to deliver something special.
“BCU’s connection to the city, its commitment to developing future talent, and its presence at Alexander Stadium make it a natural fit.
Together, we have an opportunity not only to stage a world-class event, but to create meaningful experiences and a lasting impact beyond the competition.”
Chris Moss, lead for the beyond 2026 impact programme on behalf of Birmingham 2026, said: “We are delighted to welcome Birmingham City University as a key partner for the European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026.
This collaboration represents a powerful alignment between our beyond 2026 ambitions and BCU’s commitment to developing future talent and creating meaningful opportunities for students and communities.
“Through this partnership, we can offer real-world experiences that inspire the next generation, while also working together to deliver a lasting impact that extends well beyond the Championships themselves.”
