The European Athletics Championships, currently held at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, have drawn significant criticism from both fans and high-profile figures in the sport. Concerns center on the affordability of the event, with reports highlighting steep ticket prices and high costs for food and drink. Specifically, attendees have pointed to prices such as £18.50 for a barbecue pork roll, £15 for a bratwurst, and nearly £4 for a bottle of water as prohibitive.

These pricing concerns have been linked to visible gaps in the stadium's seating. While official figures reported an attendance of over 13,000 for Monday night’s events, including Amy Hunt’s 100m gold medal win, the 23,000-capacity venue appeared significantly less full to those in attendance. Notable figures, including BBC commentator Steve Cram and the coach of athlete Keely Hodgkinson, have publicly voiced their concerns, suggesting that the pricing strategy has negatively impacted the atmosphere and accessibility of the championships. The timing of these criticisms has added to the scrutiny surrounding the event's management.