The 2026 European Athletics Championships began in Birmingham today, bringing together the continent’s finest athletes.
The Alexander Stadium is hosting seven days of world-class competition from August 10-16.
The 27th edition of the championships marks a landmark moment for British athletics, with the United Kingdom hosting the outdoor European Athletics Championships for the first time.
The stadium in Perry Barr is the long-time home of Birchfield Harriers and one of Britain's leading athletics venues. It has hosted regional, national and international events since the current venue opened in the 1970s and underwent a £72 million transformation ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
See a selection of pictures from the action at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium below.
1. Alex Botterill of Team Great Britain acknowledges the crowd before competing in Men's 800 Metres Heats during day one of the 27th European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium on August 10, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images for European Athletics)
Alex Botterill of Team Great Britain acknowledges the crowd before competing in Men's 800 Metres Heats during day one of the 27th European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium on August 10, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images for European Athletics) | Getty Images for European Athlet
2. Germany's Kevin Brucha competes in the men's long jump qualifier during the European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on August 10, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images)
Germany's Kevin Brucha competes in the men's long jump qualifier during the European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on August 10, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
3. Switzerland's Simon Ehammer competes in the men's long jump qualifier during the European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on August 10, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images)
Switzerland's Simon Ehammer competes in the men's long jump qualifier during the European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on August 10, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
4. Lina Nielsen of Team Great Britain competes in Women's 400 Metres Hurdles Heats during day one of the 27th European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium on August 10, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images for European Athletics)
Lina Nielsen of Team Great Britain competes in Women's 400 Metres Hurdles Heats during day one of the 27th European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium on August 10, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images for European Athletics) | Getty Images for European Athlet