Seb Coe addresses attendance issues at Birmingham European championships
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 14, 2026, 2:08 PM
Last updated Aug 14, 2026
Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, commented on the sparse crowds at the European championships in Birmingham. Despite initial low attendance and criticism over ticket prices and marketing, Coe stated these issues would not negatively impact London's bid for the World Championships in 2029. The last four days of the event are nearing a sellout, which may improve overall attendance figures.
- •Empty seats have been a talking point at the European championships.
- •Criticisms about ticket prices and event marketing have emerged.
- •Sebastian Coe downplayed the connection between attendance and London’s bid.
- •Attendance is improving, with final days nearly sold out.
- 2:48 PMYahoo Sports — Athletics chief: Sparse Birmingham crowds won't harm London 2029 bid
- 2:08 PMThe Guardian Sport — Seb Coe insists empty seats in Birmingham won’t harm London’s bid for 2029 worlds
"Sparse crowds have marred European championships London has bid for world championships in 2029 Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, has played down suggestions that empty seats at the European championships could affect London’s bid for the 2029 worlds. The sparse crowds earlier in the week in Birmingham have been one of the big talking points of the championships, with criticisms of the ticket prices and the marketing of the event, even though the last four days are close to a sellout. Continue reading...
"World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has played down fears low crowds at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham could mar London’s bid to host the 2029 World Championships. Birmingham is the first UK host in 92 years of European Championships history, but early-week crowds at the 23,000-capacity Alexander Stadium were as low as 12,844.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 14, 2026, 2:48 PMAthletics chief: Sparse Birmingham crowds won't harm London 2029 bid
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has played down fears low crowds at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham could mar London’s bid to host the 2029 World Championships. Birmingham is the first UK host in 92 years of European Championships history, but early-week crowds at the 23,000-capacity Alexander Stadium were as low as 12,844.
- The Guardian SportAug 14, 2026, 2:08 PMSeb Coe insists empty seats in Birmingham won’t harm London’s bid for 2029 worlds
Sparse crowds have marred European championships London has bid for world championships in 2029 Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, has played down suggestions that empty seats at the European championships could affect London’s bid for the 2029 worlds. The sparse crowds earlier in the week in Birmingham have been one of the big talking points of the championships, with criticisms of the ticket prices and the marketing of the event, even though the last four days are close to a sellout. Continue reading...
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