Birmingham is set to host the European Athletics Championships for the first time in the UK next month, prompting a string of road closures across the city centre and surrounding areas. Motorists are advised to plan journeys in advance as restrictions will be in place from Friday August 14 through Sunday August 16, 2026.
Event Overview and Impact
The championships, taking place at the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, follow the success of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Road closures are necessary for the marathon, race walk, Unity Challenge 1K and 5K mass participation events. Parking restrictions will begin at 11:59pm on Friday August 14, with vehicles left on event routes liable to be moved and fines issued.
Friday August 14 Closures
From 8am on Friday until 6:30pm on Sunday, Colmore Row (Victoria Square) and Waterloo Street (Victoria Square) will be closed.
Saturday August 15 Closures
From 3am to 6pm on Saturday, the following roads will be closed: Bennetts Hill, Church Street, Colmore Circus Queensway, Colmore Row, Livery Street, Newhall Street, Temple Row, Temple Row West, and Waterloo Street.
Sunday August 16 Closures
Multiple closures will be in effect from 3am on Sunday. Roads closed until 3pm include Berkley Street, Bridge Street, Granville Street, Halliday Street, Tennant Street, and Suffolk Street Queensway. Also closed until 3pm: Albion Street, Augusta Street, Brindley Drive, Brook Street, Brunswick Square and Brunswick Street, Cambridge Street, Camden Drive and Camden Street, Caroline Street, Charlotte Street, Civic Close, Clement Street, Cox Street, Edward Street, Essington Street, Fleet Street, Frederick Street, George Street, Graham Street, Great Charles Queensway, Grosvenor Street West, Hall Street, Helena Street, Holland Street, Louisa Street, Ludgate Hill, Lyon Queensway, Mary Ann Street, Mary Street, Nelson Street, Newhall Hill and Newhall Street, Northwood Street, Oozells Way, Parade, Regent Parade and Regent Place, Regent Street, Sand Pits, Scotland Street, Sheepcote Street, St Paul's Square, St Vincent Street, Summer Hill and Summer Hill Terrace, Summer Row, Townsend Way, Vittoria Street, Vyse Street, Warstone Lane, and Water Street.
Broad Street, Cumberland Street, Gas Street, Oozells Street, and Sheepcote Street (from Broad Street) will be closed from 3am until 3:30pm. Barwick Street, Bennetts Hill, Church Street, Colmore Circus Queensway, Colmore Row, Cornwall Street, Edmund Street, Livery Street, Margaret Street, New Market Street, Newhall Street, Temple Row, Temple Row West, Temple Street, and Waterloo Street will be closed from 3am until 4:30pm.
Advice for Motorists
Authorities urge drivers to check alternative routes and allow extra travel time. The event marks a major milestone for Birmingham as the first UK host of the European Athletics Championships, showcasing the city's capability to stage world-class athletics.
