Birmingham makes history this August as the first British city to host the European Athletics Championships in the competition’s 92-year history.
The action takes place at the Alexander Stadium, the same venue that anchored the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The 27th European Athletics Championships run from August 10 to 16, 2026.
This championship features 13 sessions across 26 disciplines producing 50 medal events, including 24 men’s, 24 women’s, and two mixed relays.
Expect fireworks from pole vault world record holder Armand Duplantis, Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, and a strong field chasing continental glory.
You can watch the European Athletics Championships in Ireland on RTE Player or TNT Sports, or stream on BBC iPlayer using a VPN.
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When & Where Is European Athletics Championships 2026 Happening?
- Date: Monday, August 10 – Sunday, August 16, 2026
- Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Athletes: Over 1,600 athletes (approximately 840 men and 805 women)
- Broadcasters: RTE Player (Free), TNT Sports and BBC iPlayer (Free in UK)
Free Way to Watch European Athletics Championships in Ireland
As Ireland’s national public service broadcaster and an official EBU partner, RTÉ provides comprehensive free-to-air coverage of the European Athletics Championships.
Viewers in Ireland can follow key track and field sessions live on RTÉ 2 or stream coverage on demand via the RTE Player app and website. No VPN or subscription required.
Here’s how to watch the European Athletics Championships in Ireland:
Step 1: Go to RTÉ Player and click Login.
Step 2: Click Sign in
Step 3: Enter your email address and Passward.
Step 4: Once logged in, go back to home and click on the Live tab at the top of the page
Step 5: Select RTE 2 and search for the European Athletics Championships and enjoy streaming!
How to Watch the European Athletics Championships in Ireland Live on TNT Sports
TNT Sports also carries live linear coverage of the Championships in Ireland, with localised commentary running alongside the HBO Max stream.
You can catch it by subscribing to the NOW TV Sports Membership. The NOW TV mobile app is available for Android and iOS devices in Ireland.
Here’s how you can watch the European Athletics Championships live on mobile phones:
Step 1: Download the Now TV app from the Play Store or APK
Step 2: Open the app and click on the sidebar
Step 3: Choose Sports Membership
Step 4: Select your plan and click Claim offer
Step 5: Enter your credentials and check out to subscribe. Enjoy streaming!
Watch European Athletics Championships in Ireland on BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer is broadcasting the Championships live and free across BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC iPlayer, as the host broadcaster covering every session of the week.
However, BBC iPlayer’s streaming content is geo-restricted to the UK. Therefore, you will need a reliable VPN, like Surfshark, connected to a UK server to access the platform and watch the Championships live.
What Sports Are Included in the 2026 European Athletics Championships?
Birmingham 2026 features a 26-discipline programme across track, field, and road events, producing 50 medal events at the Alexander Stadium and across the city streets for the marathons.
| Discipline | Venue |
|---|---|
| Track Events (Sprints, Middle & Long Distance) | Alexander Stadium |
| Field Events (Jumps & Throws) | Alexander Stadium |
| Relays (4x100m, 4x400m & Mixed 4x400m) | Alexander Stadium |
| Marathon | Birmingham City Centre |
| Race Walk | Birmingham City Centre |
| Combined Events (Heptathlon & Decathlon) | Alexander Stadium |
European Athletics Championships 2026 Schedule
Here is the schedule for key sessions of the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships, in Irish time.
| Date | Event / Session | Time (Irish Time) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Aug 10, 2026 | Morning Session (Heats & Qualifications: W Shot Put, M 800m, W 100m, M 400m) | 10:35 – 13:10 |
| Mon, Aug 10, 2026 | Evening Session (Finals: W 100m, M 5000m, M/W Shot Put, Mixed 4x400m Relay) | 19:00 – 21:50 |
| Tue, Aug 11, 2026 | Morning Session (Heats & Qualifications: M High Jump, M 100m, M 110mH, W 800m) | 10:33 – 13:15 |
| Tue, Aug 11, 2026 | Evening Session (Finals: M 100m, W 100m Hurdles, W 5000m, M Long Jump, M Hammer) | 19:05 – 21:50 |
| Wed, Aug 12, 2026 | Morning Session (Decathlon Day 1, Heats: W 400m, W 200m, M 800m Semis) | 10:35 – 13:20 |
| Wed, Aug 12, 2026 | Evening Session (Finals: M 400m, W 400m Hurdles, M 110m Hurdles, W Hammer) | 19:05 – 21:50 |
| Thu, Aug 13, 2026 | Morning Session (Decathlon Day 2, Heats: M 200m, W High Jump, M Javelin Q) | 10:33 – 15:25 |
| Thu, Aug 13, 2026 | Evening Session (Finals: M 800m, W 200m, W 3000m SC, W Triple Jump, W Pole Vault) | 18:35 – 21:55 |
| Fri, Aug 14, 2026 | Morning Session (Heptathlon Day 1, Relay Heats: M 4x400m, W 4x400m, M 1500m) | 10:35 – 12:35 |
| Fri, Aug 14, 2026 | Evening Session (Finals: M 200m, W 800m, W 10,000m, M 400mH, M High Jump) | 19:35 – 21:50 |
| Sat, Aug 15, 2026 | Morning Session (Road Races: Half Marathon / Race Walk & 4x100m Relay Heats) | 07:30 – 13:30 |
| Sat, Aug 15, 2026 | Evening Session (Finals: M 1500m, W 400m, M 10,000m, M/W 4x100m Relays) | 19:45 – 22:00 |
| Sun, Aug 16, 2026 | Morning Session (City Centre Events: Men's & Women's Marathons) | 07:30 – 11:00 |
| Sun, Aug 16, 2026 | Evening Session (Finals: M Pole Vault, W 1500m, M 3000m SC, M/W 4x400m Relays) | 19:30 – 22:00 |
2026 European Athletics Championships Highlights to Watch For
The Birmingham Championships bring a few storylines Irish fans will want to follow closely:
Pole Vault Watch: Sweden’s Armand Duplantis, the men’s pole vault world record holder, chases a fourth straight European Championships gold.
800m Showdown: Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson faces Swiss rival Audrey Werro, who has already beaten her over the distance this season.
Every Event Streamed: For the first time, all 50 medal events will stream live and on demand on HBO Max, alongside linear coverage on BBC and TNT Sports.
Historic First: Birmingham is the first British city to host the European Athletics Championships in the competition’s 92-year history.
Other Sporting Events to Watch in Ireland
If you’re a sports fan, here’s a list of other major sporting events you can watch in Ireland.
- Watch the Commonwealth Games in Ireland
- Watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Ireland
- Watch the NBA in Ireland
- Watch AFL in Ireland
FAQs – European Athletics Championships 2026
1. What are the European Athletics Championships?
The European Athletics Championships are a biennial track and field event held for athletes from European nations. First held in 1934, the 2026 edition is the 27th Championships.
2. When and where is the 2026 European Athletics Championships?
The Championships run from August 10 – 16, 2026 at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
3. How can I watch the European Athletics Championships in Ireland?
RTE Player streams every event live and on demand in Ireland, with additional live coverage available on TNT Sports via a NOW TV Sports Membership.
4. Do I need a VPN to watch in Ireland?
No VPN is needed for HBO Max, TNT Sports, or RTE Player, as both are officially available in Ireland. A VPN is only required if you want to access the free BBC iPlayer stream from the UK.
5. How many events and disciplines are there?
The Championships feature 26 disciplines producing 50 medal events, including 24 men’s, 24 women’s, and two mixed relay events.
Conclusion
The Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships run from August 10 through August 16, marking the first time the UK has hosted the event. Expect fireworks from stars like Armand Duplantis and Keely Hodgkinson across a jam-packed week of track and field.
You can watch the European Athletics Championships in Ireland live on RTE Player, or for free on BBC iPlayer using a VPN. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
