Birmingham 2026 has officially launched its Impact programme, ‘Beyond’, at Alexander Stadium, setting out an ambitious vision to ensure the European Athletics Championships 2026 leaves a legacy that stretches far beyond a single week of elite competition.
For the first time ever, the European Championships will be staged in the UK, with Birmingham at its heart. But organisers are determined the event will act as a catalyst for positive, lasting change across the city and the wider West Midlands.
Investment Already Underway
As part of the launch, UK Sport and the London Marathon Foundation confirmed a £90,000 investment to support local delivery partners Access Sport and StreetGames. This funding will help expand opportunities for young people to get active and engage with community sport — an early example of Beyond’s impact in action.
A Framework for Legacy
The Beyond programme focuses on three key pillars:
- Providing community benefit through athletics and running
- Delivering an environmentally conscious Championships
- Improving accessibility and inclusion for all
Projects already in development include support for Daily Mile events in schools, expanding junior parkruns, creating new apprenticeship and volunteering pathways, and encouraging sustainable travel for both fans and participants.
Chris Moss, Project Lead for Birmingham 2026’s Impact Plan, said:
“We’ve built Beyond as a framework to connect partners, amplify great work already happening, and inspire new activity. The support from UK Sport and the London Marathon Foundation shows what’s possible when we use major events to generate real community benefit.”
Building on Birmingham’s Event Legacy
Birmingham City Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Sharon Thompson, noted how Beyond builds on the legacy of the Commonwealth Games, ensuring community voices shape the programme:
“We’ve listened to feedback from Birmingham groups around the Commonwealth Games, and this programme is about making sure that positive impact is delivered again — and this time goes even further.”
UK Sport, the West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham City Council, and other partners will continue to shape new Beyond initiatives in the lead-up to the Championships.
Looking Ahead
The excitement isn’t just about medals. As West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said:
“The real win comes after the crowds and TV cameras have gone home. The Beyond programme harnesses the energy of this event and channels it into long-term improvements in health, wellbeing, and community opportunity.”
With webinars scheduled in September to share more details and gather community input, Birmingham 2026 is positioning the European Athletics Championships not only as a sporting spectacle but as a springboard for meaningful change across the region.