European Athletics Championships Leave 10,000 Seats Empty in Birmingham as £150 Ticket Prices Draw Fire
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 11
European Athletics Championships Leave 10,000 Seats Empty in Birmingham as £150 Ticket Prices Draw Fire
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 11
Summary
13,623 spectators watched Amy Hunt win the women’s 100m on Monday, leaving nearly 10,000 seats empty in Birmingham’s 23,000-capacity Alexander Stadium.
£150 Category A seats for Monday’s home straight and £110 for Tuesday’s men’s 100m final drew complaints from fans who called prices “extortionate” and said families were being priced out.
Organisers’ own figures showed the stadium 59% full on Monday evening, after 55% on Monday morning and 56% on Tuesday morning, even as they said sales had far surpassed targets.
Transport and in-stadium costs added to frustration: fans cited a mile walk from the nearest station, distant parking and food prices including £18.50 pork rolls and £15 hot dogs.
Britain is hosting the European Athletics Championships for the first time in the event’s 92-year history, with organisers saying the main evening sessions later this week are nearing sellout.