Home / Sports / Empty Seats Plague Birmingham Games Amid Ticket Outcry
Empty Seats Plague Birmingham Games Amid Ticket Outcry
11 Aug
Summary
- Fans criticize £18.50 pork rolls and £3.95 water bottles.
- Stadium attendance questioned despite official figures.
- Cheaper tickets are more sought after than expensive ones.
The European Athletics Championships in Birmingham are struggling with low attendance, largely attributed to exorbitant ticket and food prices. On Monday, the Alexander Stadium, with a 23,000 capacity, appeared barely half-full, with thousands of empty seats in the £60 and £40 sections. Fans have decried prices, with a barbecue pork roll costing £18.50 and a bottle of water £3.95.
Athletes' representatives and commentators have expressed disappointment. Steve Cram noted the sparse crowds, particularly on the back straight. Jenny Meadows highlighted fan complaints about high ticket and parking costs, alongside a general lack of awareness about the event.
Birmingham 2026, however, defended the pricing, stating that 50% of tickets were £30 or less, with adult tickets starting at £10. They also highlighted children's tickets for £6.31 and family packages from £30. Despite these claims, ticket prices are set to rise to £150 for the final days of competition, a move that has drawn further criticism.
