A European Athletics Championships fan zone will be in Birmingham city centre with screens to watch the live action alongside music and cultural events.
‘Champions Square’ will be in Centenary Square during part of the championships – for four days from August 13 to 16.
Visitors can soak up the festival atmosphere for free while watching Europe’s biggest athletics stars compete live on a big screen. There will be a programme of live music, dance, circus, street theatre and interactive activities across each day.
Building on hugely successful festival sites during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and the legacy Birmingham Festival 23, Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces (OPUS) has been appointed to curate the four-day Cultural Programme in Champions Square.
An open call has been launched inviting artists, creatives and cultural organisations to be part of the cultural programme, funded by Birmingham City Council’s Together on Culture Magnets and Moonshots programme.
They are seeking high-energy outdoor performances. From live music and dance, to roaming performances and workshops, successful applicants will help create an unforgettable atmosphere that showcases Birmingham’s outstanding cultural talent alongside one of Europe’s premier sporting events.
European Athletics Championships in Birmingham take place from August 10 to 16.
Caroline Davis, Managing Director of OPUS, said: “Birmingham showed the world during the Commonwealth Games that culture doesn’t sit alongside sport – it helps define the experience.
“It creates moments of joy, surprise and connection that people remember long after the competition has finished. We’re excited to build on that legacy by creating another programme that belongs to the city and shines a light on Birmingham’s incredible creative community.”
Councillor Deborah Harries, Cabinet Member for Culture at Birmingham City Council, said: “The European Athletics Championships is the cornerstone of an exciting summer of sport in Birmingham.
“As we have seen previously at events such as the Commonwealth Games, major events like this not only underline Birmingham’s credentials as a world class city of sport but also provide an opportunity to showcase our wider cultural offer to residents and visitors alike.”
Open call to creatives
Rebecca Phillips, Senior Producer at OPUS, added: “We’re looking for artists who can create energy, surprise and delight, and bring audiences together. Whether you’re an established company or an emerging performer, if you’ve got work that thrives outdoors and invites people to stop, watch and take part, we’d love to hear from you.”
Open Call applications are now open, with a deadline of 11.59pm on Monday July 20.
Successful applicants will perform as part of Birmingham’s official European Athletics Fan Zone, with opportunities for thousands of visitors to experience their work throughout the Championships.
Open Call more information and application details can be found online here.
European Athletics Championships in Birmingham – ticket information
The Championships will see over 1,600 athletes from 48 nations compete for glory from August 10 to 16. With 44 gold medals to be won across the seven evening sessions, fans will see history being made at Alexander Stadium and on live screens in the fan zone at Centenary Square.
Many of Europe’s biggest names are expected to target their 2026 summer ambitions at Birmingham — making this a superb chance for fans to witness world-class performances on home soil.
To book and find out more, visit tickets.birmingham26.com. Tickets start from just £5 for children and £10 for adults.
Cherry Alexander, Championship Director for Birmingham 2026, said: “With just one month to go, fans can make their plans to be a part of the UK’s first ever staging of a European Athletics Championships, whether buying tickets to see the best in Europe competing in Birmingham, picking a spot to view the elite race walks and marathon events in the city centre, signing up to run the mass participation Unity Challenge for their own medal moment, or joining in the celebrations and programme at Champions Square fan zone at Centenary Square.”