Publication date: 11 Jul 2025
The European Athletics Championships is the largest international event in the world of athletics. This event used to be held every 4 years, and since 2010 – every 2 years. Under the auspices of the European Athletics Association, the most outstanding track and field athletes compete against each other. Athletes compete in running disciplines (short and long distances), jumping (high jump, long jump, triple jump), throwing (javelin, discus, hammer), combined events (heptathlon) and other events.
2026 European Athletics Championships
The 2026 European Athletics Championships will be held from 10 to 16 August in Birmingham, UK. Competitions will be held at the renovated Alexander Stadium, which has already hosted major international tournaments and can accommodate up to 40,000 spectators.
The programme includes about 50 athletics disciplines: running, jumping, throwing, relays and race walking. For the first time, such new events as the 4x100m mixed relay and marathon and half marathon race walking distances will appear. Also, in some disciplines, the finals and qualifications will be held on the same day to make the tournament more dynamic.
Participants
The strongest European athletes will take part. The main favourites are the Great Britain team, which will compete at home. Among the team’s stars: Dina Asher-Smith, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Amber Anning, Jeremiah Azouie and others.
History of the Championships
The European Athletics Championships were first held in 1934 in Turin, Italy. At that time, it was a men’s competition only. 226 athletes from 23 countries participated in the championships. Germany was the top medal winner at the time.
The women’s championship was held for the first time in 1938. Since 1946 it has been a joint championship.
From the first championship until 2010, the competition was held every four years. After that – every two years. If the championships coincide with the Summer Olympics, the marathon and race walking events are not held.
In its rich history, the European Athletics Championships have only been cancelled twice – in 1942 during the World War II and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results of previous competitions
| Year | Venue | Best in Medal Standings |
| 2024 | Rome, Italy | Italy |
| 2022 | Munich, Germany | Germany |
| 2020 | Paris, France | Not conducted due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
Top 5 countries by all-time medal count
| Country | Medals |
| UK | 124 gold, 96 silver, 106 bronze |
| Soviet Union | 120 gold, 110 silver, 101 bronze |
| East Germany | 90 gold, 83 silver, 66 bronze |
| Germany | 70 gold, 70 silver, 63 bronze |
| France | 69 gold, 69 silver, 65 bronze |
2028 European Athletics Championships
At the moment it is known that the next championship will be held in Poland in the city of Chorzow at the end of August.
Keep an eye on the dates of various championships and other events in our Sporting Events Calendar.
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