European Athletics Championships, Birmingham 2026.

The brief

For the 2026 European Athletics Championships, Star Live worked with European Athletics Ventures LLP to temporarily increase spectator capacity at Alexander Stadium and deliver the event infrastructure required for a major international championship.

The brief called for temporary seating to be integrated within the existing stadium, alongside structural infrastructure for athletes, broadcasters and media.

As the project developed, Star Live’s role expanded significantly beyond the original seating requirements, ultimately encompassing structures across multiple areas of the stadium.

The challenge

Hosting the European Athletics Championships for the first time in the UK meant integrating substantial temporary structures within an established stadium.

New seating and event structures needed to work around existing stands, circulation routes and venue infrastructure, while meeting the requirements of spectators, athletes, broadcasters and media.

At the same time, the scope continued to evolve. Broadcast, media, Mixed Zone and athlete requirements were added and adapted as the project progressed, all within the fixed timeframe for event readiness.

Our solution

Star Live added 7,044 seats to the North Stand and 790 to the South Stand, creating 7,834 additional spectator positions within Alexander Stadium.

Beyond the grandstands, our team designed, engineered, supplied and installed screen support structures, cable bridges, Mixed Zone facilities, broadcast and media platforms, four studio structures and an Athlete Walkway Bridge.

The package continued to evolve through delivery. The Wire Cam Tower was increased to 30 metres, while further works included Mixed Zone and studio roofs, additional broadcast studio equipment, camera platforms, press infrastructure and modifications to bridge systems.

Star Live also managed the structural design and certification, enabling works and coordination with broadcast, overlay and venue teams, allowing new and changing requirements to be incorporated without losing sight of the event deadline.

Impact

The completed project increased Alexander Stadium’s spectator capacity by 7,834 seats for the Championships and provided the wider temporary infrastructure required for spectator experience and broadcast.

Beyond the additional capacity, Star Live’s structures supported athlete movement, broadcast operations, media activity and the spaces needed to connect each of those functions across the stadium.

The result was a comprehensive temporary overlay that enabled an established athletics venue to meet the demands of one of Europe’s major international championships.