Inclusive Festival Unites Birmingham Youth Ahead of European Athletics Championships

Inclusive Festival Unites Birmingham Youth Ahead of European Athletics Championships

Over 450 young people and their families gathered at the iconic Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr on Saturday 30 May 2026 for a vibrant community sport celebration. This event showcased the lasting impact of the upcoming Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships, welcoming around 950 attendees including children aged five to 25 alongside families and support workers.

Funded by UK Sport and the London Marathon Foundation, and delivered by Access Sport and StreetGames, the festival formed part of the Beyond Social Impact Framework. This official programme is designed to ensure the Birmingham 2026 Championships delivers lasting benefits for communities before, during, and after the event.

The celebration also served as the official launch moment for the Personal Best Foundation, the official charity of England Athletics. It introduced new Community Athletics Hubs across Birmingham which will expand free and inclusive athletics provision for children living in underserved communities. These hubs support the wider legacy ambitions connected to Birmingham 2026 through the Beyond Framework.

The event was supported by Personal Best Foundation Ambassadors Alex Haydock-Wilson and Ali Fewins, as well as track and field athlete Christian Malcolm. Their presence helped inspire young people to get involved in sport and aim high. The celebration brought the Beyond framework to life, highlighting how major sporting events can drive meaningful, long-term change in local communities.

The framework focuses on three key areas:

• Engaging Underserved Communities: By engaging young people from underserved communities, the event reflected a shared ambition to create more opportunities for those least likely to be active.
• Inclusive Experience: The festival provided a welcoming and accessible experience for all, with inclusion at its core. Around 25% of participants were D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent, demonstrating the event’s strong commitment to making sport accessible to everyone.
• Variety and Support: Participants enjoyed a wide variety of sports through taster sessions delivered by local clubs and organisations, alongside opportunities to access support, advice and community services. Every registered child received a free lunch box, supported by the Bring It On Brum programme.

Damari, a young participant at the festival, said: "My favourite thing about today was how diverse it was and how many different activities there were for different kinds of people. It’s made me feel more confident, because it’s shown me that anyone can do anything they put their mind to. After trying more sports today, it’s made me want to keep improving and try to compete with others." Helen Rowbotham, Chief Executive at Access Sport, said: "Thank you to all our partners, volunteers and community providers who made today such a special event. This festival has been a fantastic opportunity to use the platform of the 2026 European Athletics Championships to engage young people in Birmingham with the life-changing benefits of community sport." Mark Lawrie OBE, Chief Executive at StreetGames, added: "This event shows what’s possible when we bring communities, partners and major sporting moments together with a shared purpose. It’s been brilliant to see so many young people getting active, trying new sports and feeling part of something special here at Alexander Stadium." Chris Moss, Birmingham 2026 Project Lead for the Impact Plan, stated: "Athletics is an incredible sport which truly offers something for everyone. We want Birmingham 2026 to be a platform for real tangible community benefit in the region and a source of pride and excitement. Events like today are a crucial part of that, opening the sport and the stadium up to underserved members of the community." Esther Britten, Head of Events and External Affairs at UK Sport, noted: "It’s fantastic to see the Beyond social impact framework already making a tangible difference in communities across Birmingham. This event is a brilliant example of how major sporting events can be a catalyst for positive change, creating opportunities for young people to get active, build confidence and feel part of something bigger." Mike Diaper, Group Funding and Impact Director at the London Marathon Foundation, concluded: "At the London Marathon Foundation, we believe every young person should have the chance to enjoy physical activity without barriers. Today’s event shows the real impact our funding can have on communities. It’s been fantastic to see so many young people from across the local West Midlands area trying new sports for free in such an iconic stadium."