From Mondo Duplantis to Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Kelly Hodgkinson to Femke Ball, Birmingham 26 will be packed with big names.
Following their success at the World Championships in Tokyo, European athletes now set their sights on the big event in 2026. The European Athletics Championships will take place from August 10-16 at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, and 10 stars will compete here.
Femke Bol – over hurdles to 800m
The 400m world champion made a bold move to the 800m in 2023 and 2025, and Birmingham 2026 is likely to be his first championship at the distance. Hurdles aside, the Dutch athlete has already set world records in the indoor 400m and 500m. That means he should feel relatively comfortable going through the first lap of the 800m, but how will he fare in the latter stages?
Jakob Ingebrigtsen – on the way back
The Norwegian endurance runner had a disappointing summer in which he was largely on the sidelines before crashing out of the 1500m at the world titles in Tokyo before finishing 10th in the 5000m final. He recently announced his ambitions to break the 1500m, mile and 5000m world records in 2026, but we also know he loves to compete, so you can be sure to see him in Birmingham, where he will be going for his seventh European outdoor crown.
Mondo Duplantis – higher and higher
European champion in 2018, 2022 and 2024, the Swede will fight for title number 4 in Birmingham. Can anyone beat him if he also maintains his brilliant world record? She seems to be saving her best for the majors as she hit her latest world record of 6.30m in Tokyo in September.
Dina Usher-Smith – Goes for Gold (Again!)
The 29-year-old won her sixth European gold medal in Rome last year, and no British athlete has had more success at these championships. From 200m gold in Amsterdam in 2016 to 100m and 4x100m golds in Rome 2024, he is a prolific winner of Euro titles. At the Tokyo world titles, she was also the only European to reach the women’s 100m final.
Nadia Battocletti – going from strength to strength
The Italian distance runner completed a memorable double at last year’s European Championships in Rome when she won the 5,000m and 10,000m titles in front of her home crowd. He took a surprise 10,000m silver at the Paris Olympics and then showed it was no fluke by winning 10,000m silver and 5,000m bronze in Tokyo this year. The 25-year-old loves competing in the big leagues, so you can be sure to see her in Birmingham defending her titles.
Leo Neugebauer – multi-talented
The big German has never competed at the European Championships before, but after winning silver at the 2024 Olympics and gold at the Tokyo World Championships, he will be the favorite to win the title in Birmingham. At 25, he is at the peak of his career and, unlike his German predecessors, it won’t be Daley Thompson to spoil his party.
Karsten Warholm. back in business?
He may have finished fifth in the world 400m hurdles final in Tokyo, but the three-time world champion is looking to top the podium again in 2026. The Norwegian has won three European titles in the past and will be looking for number 4. None of the athletes who beat him in Tokyo will be there either.
Keely Hodgkinson – going for Euro title number 3
Still only 23, the British 800m runner has already won European titles at Munich 2022 and Rome 2024, winning the latter title despite battling illness. Moreover, he has previously won two European indoor titles as well as the European Under-18 gold in 2018. After an injury-plagued 2025, she will look to enjoy an injury-free winter before making her mark in the home championship, where team-mate Georgia Hunter Bell, Switzerland’s Audrey Bolly Werro and Pole are likely rivals.
Mattia Furlani – jumping for joy
What a year the Italian has enjoyed. Still only 20 years old, he won world long jump titles at home and abroad. This followed the Olympic bronze he won in Paris 2024. In Tokyo, he became the youngest long jump world champion in history, and he is looking to improve on the European silver he won on home soil in Rome last year.
READ MORE. Top 10 moments of the European champions
Natalya Bukovetska – 400m runner with title to defend
The Polish sprinter won the European title in Rome in 2024 and was the best European finisher at the Paris Olympics (when he won bronze), plus the 2023 world championships (where he won silver) and the 2025 world championships (fourth). In Birmingham, she will compete against world indoor champion Amber Anning, but the latter will be competing on her home turf.
READ MORE. Euro athletes shine on the world stage
In 2026, these athletes will fight for the European titles in Birmingham on August 10-16. Tickets are still available available here.
