The 2026 European Athletics Championships are starting from 13th-16th of August in Birmingham. This is titled Champions Square which will take over Centenary Square.
Revealed on the Birmingham City Council website, Champions Square will bring the fun from European Athletic Championships right into the centre of the city. Birmingham residents and visitors will be given the chance to watch live sporting action on a giant TV screen. Not only that but there will be four full days of free family friendly shows, workshops and events.
Champions Square will be open on Thursday and Friday, from 10am to 10:00pm and on the weekends from 7:00am to 10:00pm with live sports being broadcast from Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.
Here are the list of fun activities at Champions Square:
- Go for Gold: Silent Disco – This will be taking place daily from 7:30pm-9:00pm. Aimed at letting visitors celebrate the champions with silent disco hosts ready to join visitors in the fun dances alongside different challenges inspired by athletics, dance floor games and light competitions with winners getting golden rosettes. Located at Autin Dance Theatre’s Silent Disco Street Games is a twist on the classic silent disco games that happens on Thursday. With different personalities joining the event like Kaylee Golding’s “Go For Gold” spreading music of Champions on Friday. DJ Soriah will be present on Saturday with DJ Palak and India Island being presented by the Sampad South Asian Arts and Heritage on Sunday.
- Race Along Finish Line – This is taking place throughout the Champions Square event and consists of stunning visual arts commissions in Centenary Square by Artist Megan Reddi. Co commissioned by Ikon Gallery and OPUS, Reddi’s bold and vibrant art will flow energy from Alexander Stadium to the city centre allowing friends and families to fully immerse themselves into this art.
- Jump for Joy – A daily activity during the event, these are workshops aimed at getting visitors to learn new skills, start moving their bodies and do a warm up before the evening’s screening of sports. With no previous experience required and thus no pressure on visitors, people can join in with various other special guests. This includes Sofunk’s Dance Fitness with Sharon and DJ Miss Maxine on Thursday and Friday, Lunchtime Zumba with the Fitzelles on Thursday and line dancing to the best soul classic hits with West Midland’s Sisterhood Soul Stepperz on Friday. On Saturday people can celebrate the latin music, rhythm and dance with the Cuban Salsa Community Party.
- Music and Dance – Taking place everyday in this event, there will be a line up of local musicians and singers from across the West Midlands. This includes Live Vibe Music in Motion Takeover on Thursday at 6:00pm which will platform independent musicians and artists, Ashley Allen and Friends collaborating with B:Music for Track by Track on Friday, 6:00pm. And a concert just for children raging from 0-5 year olds Ready, Steady and Sing! by B’Opera on Saturday 1:30pm. From Linden Dance comes dance performances of UNBOXED on Friday at separate times of 1:40pm and 5:00pm. Representing the different communities in Birmingham on Saturday is Wan Sheung at 2:55pm, Afrocave Dance at 4:45 pm and athletic circus performances by Rogue Play at 2:40pm and 5:15 pm.
- Bab the Bull Appearances: Lastly on Thursday-Saturday at 3-3:15 pm, Championship Mascot Bab the Bull will storm into the Fan Zone centre. Full of larger than life energy and eager to charge into action, Bab the Bull will be there for visitors to high five or to take a quick selfie with.
For more information visit: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/news/article/1815/birmingham_ready_to_go_for_gold_at_champions_square
