Athletics fans furious at 'disgusting' food and drink prices during European Championships
Athletics fans attending the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham have called out organisers on social media for the shocking prices of food and drink.
The first European Athletics Championships to be held in Great Britain is officially underway as Birmingham's Alexander Stadium hosts from from 10-16 August.
More than 1,500 of Europe's best athletes from about 50 countries are set to compete across the week, with Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson just some of Team GB's biggest names.
Up to 23,000-fans can spectate at the Alexander Stadium, although there has already been some concerns about attendance being lower than hoped, while others can tune in to watch the Championships from home.
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As is always the case at major sporting events, one of the first things that many fans will want to know when arriving at the Alexander Stadium is where can they get food and refreshments and how much will it cost.
Every year The Masters at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA, sets the bar for the most fan-friendly food prices, with the chicken salad sandwich and Masters club the most expensive items on the menu, priced at only $3 (£2.20).
And unfortunately, the European Athletics Championships have not taken a leaf out of the golf major's book, as food and drink inside the Alexander Stadium priced at truly stunning amounts.
In an image shared on X, it is revealed that a BBQ Pork Roll, the most expensive item on the menu, will set you back a massive £18.50, with a portion of chips to go with it costing another £5.
If you want a drink to go with it then the cheapest option is a cup of tea, which costs £3, with the most expensive drink being a £4.90 energy drink, while water costs £3.95.
Across the whole menu, the cheapest item is 'confectionary' which costs £2.20.
Reacting to the prices, the Athletics fan sharing the photo wrote: "Sorry but this is disgusting and a sure fire way to turn people off a sport that gets only a couple of opportunities to show itself off each year.
"European Athletics champs organisers in Birmingham need to be called out for this price gauging."
Another fan commenting on the photo wrote: "Insane £15 for a Bratwurst! We were in Berlin a few days ago at an evening event with a captive audience & increased prices. 4.5 euros for the same!"
While one revealed that Ice Creams cost £7.50, and claimed that the inflated ticket prices were the reason why attendance hasn't been as high as expected.
They added: "Ice cream £7.50!! It was all OTT so we didn’t buy anything. Soured the day. Ditto all the empty seats @BritAthletics you set the prices too high.
"We would have attended more than one day but myself and daughter was nearly £200 for the day. Stadium should have been full."
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Great Britain lead medal table at European Athletics Championships 2026
Despite the negative reaction to the prices at the European Athletics Championships, the reception to Team GB's performances has been positive so far.
After securing two golds and two silvers across the opening two days, Britain tops the table heading into the third day of the Championships.
The mixed 4x400m relay team secured Britain's first medal, after claiming silver on the opening night.
Meanwhile Amy Hunt and Romell Glave won golds in the 100m events on consecutive days, with Jeremiah Azu also taking silver in Tuesday's race.
Topics: Athletics
Ben McCrum