Birmingham 2026 impact program launched at stadium Alexander

The Birmingham 2026 “Beyond” impact program was officially launched at Stade Alexander.

He defines the vision of the way in which the European athletics championships of Birmingham 2026 can act as a catalyst for a positive and lasting change through Birmingham and the West Midlands.

While Birmingham 2026 will offer a world -class athletics event – the first time that the European Championships have been organized in the United Kingdom – the organizers also work in close partnership with stakeholders to support wider social and regional benefits, guided by a shared impact plan.

“These championships are much more than a week of elite athletics,” said Royston Hoggarth, president of Birmingham 2026 intervener Board.

Birmingham 2026 Impact launch at the Alexander stadium on July 29, 2025

(Sam Mellish)

“With the right objective and the right partnerships, we can help take momentum around projects that leave a legacy long after the victory of the final medal.

“Beyond is our shared commitment to make this difference-with the championships as a change platform.”

As part of the launch, UK Sport and the London Marathon Foundation announced an investment of £ 90,000 to support local delivery partners Access Sport and Streetgames.

The funding will extend the possibilities for young people to get active and involve community sport – a first example of the way Beyond already helps to galvanize a real impact before the championships.

“The Beyond program will continue to rely on the legacy made thanks to the Commonwealth Games,” said CLLR Sharon Thompson, deputy chief of the Birmingham municipal council.

“We will not only see the eyes of the world on the wonderful Alexander stadium, but also on how we use major events to provide an inclusive and welcoming experience to residents and visitors to our city.

“While helping to shape the program, we have assured that the contribution of the community groups of Birmingham on their experiences around the Commonwealth Games has been envisaged, which is so important to ensure that we achieve the positive impact we are targeting.

“I can’t wait to see how the various initiatives progress and meet the people involved. ”

The Beyond is shaped around three central pillars of the provision of community profits thanks to athletics and running, the delivery of championships concerned with the environment and the improvement of accessibility and inclusion for all.

The activities aligned with Beyond include the support of daily events in schools, the diversification of junior parkruns, the creation of new learning and volunteer journeys and encourage sustainable trips for fans and participants.

Each initiative is delivered by or in partnership with specialized organizations, Birmingham 2026 playing a role in competition and amplification.

Chris Moss, Birmingham 2026 Project Lead for the Impact Plan, said: “We have built beyond as a framework to connect partners, already amplify an excellent work and inspire a new activity that aligns our common objectives.

“The support of UK Sport and the London Marathon Foundation shows what is possible when we use major events to generate real community advantages.”

Esther Britten, head of events and external affairs at UK Sport, added: “Accommodation of major events has a single platform to supply positive change. UK Sport thinks that good partnerships offer a significant, positive and lasting social impact.

“The Beyond and our collaborative partnership with the London Marathon Foundation, alongside sport access and streetgames, have the potential to make a real difference in local communities.

“The staging of the 2026 European Athletics Championships can leave a lasting heritage in Birmingham and the West Midlands and the Nation as a whole.”

The Birmingham 2026 team, alongside the Birmingham Municipal Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority, UK Sport and other delivery partners, will continue to develop and report new programs under the aegis Beyond in the championship period.

“Major events such as the European Athletics Championships strengthen our economy and offer a global showcase for all the fantastic things that our region has to offer,” said Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands.

“But the real victory comes after after the crowd and television cameras have returned home. The Beyond program offers the opportunity to exploit the energy and the excitement of this event and to channel it in a lasting program of positive change, which will offer better health and well-being for people of all our communities and life changes.”

Mike Diaper, Group Financing Director and Impact at London Marathon Foundation, added: “We are proud to launch this collaborative funding with UK Sport, aimed at inspiring sustainable activity in West Midlands.

“With the European athletics championships 2026 in Birmingham on the horizon, this funding is more than one event – it is a question of providing inclusive and community opportunities that will inspire children and young people to develop a pleasure in sport and physical activity that will last a lifetime.”