UK Athletics Championships 2026: Your Guide to Parking at Alexander Stadium, Birmingham

The best of British athletics is heading back to Birmingham this weekend, and Alexander Stadium is about to come alive with the roar of a home crowd. The Novuna UK Athletics Championships take place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June 2026, with Olympic finalists, European medallists and rising stars all chasing national titles and a coveted spot on the GB squad for this summer's European Championships.

What's happening at Alexander Stadium this weekend

The Novuna UK Athletics Championships are the most important meet of the British domestic season. Over two days, athletes will battle it out across sprints, middle distance, long distance, hurdles, jumps and throws. National champions will be crowned, personal bests will tumble, and selections will be made for the European Athletics Championships, which return to the same Alexander Stadium track from 10 to 16 August.

That dual purpose – titles plus selection – means the stakes are sky-high. Every athlete on the start line has something to prove, whether that's locking down a GB vest or smashing a championship record. Expect tactical 1500m finals, blistering 100m showdowns and field events that draw the noise levels up to a level usually reserved for cup finals.

The 2026 edition is also a dress rehearsal for the city. Birmingham is hosting the European Championships less than two months later, and Alexander Stadium – freshly upgraded for the 2022 Commonwealth Games – is once again the centrepiece of UK athletics. If you've never been to a major track meet in person, this is the weekend to fix that.

When and where the action takes place

Alexander Stadium sits in Perry Barr, around three miles north of Birmingham city centre. The full address is Walsall Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2LR. Sessions run across both Saturday and Sunday, with morning heats and afternoon finals on each day. Check your ticket and the official British Athletics timetable for exact session times, and aim to arrive at least an hour before your session starts so you've got time to find your seat, grab a drink and settle in.

The stadium itself holds around 18,000 spectators when fully open, and championship weekends typically draw a strong crowd – families, club athletes, kit-spotters and dedicated fans all rolled into one. That energy is what makes a live athletics meet special, but it does mean traffic in and out of Perry Barr can build quickly.

Getting to Alexander Stadium

If you're driving, Alexander Stadium is well connected. The A34 runs right past the venue and links straight into Birmingham city centre, while the M6 (Junction 7) is just a short hop away, making the stadium easy to reach from across the Midlands, the North West and the South. From the city centre, it's a 10 to 15-minute drive depending on traffic.

Public transport is also a strong option. Perry Barr railway station is around a 15-minute walk from the stadium, and the 51, X51 and 52 bus routes all stop nearby on the A34 Walsall Road. Birmingham New Street is a short train hop away if you're coming in from further afield.

That said, lots of fans prefer to drive – especially families, anyone travelling with kit, or anyone making a day of it. Driving gives you flexibility, and with the right parking sorted in advance, it's often the quickest door-to-door option.

Why pre-booked parking is the smart play

Here's the catch: on-site parking at Alexander Stadium is extremely limited, especially during championship events. Residential streets around Perry Barr fill up fast, restrictions are tighter than they used to be, and circling for a space on a hot Saturday morning is no one's idea of fun.

Pre-booking parking for the Athletics Championships takes the guesswork out of the equation. You can see exactly where your space is, how far it is from the stadium gates, and how much it'll cost – all before you leave the house. Many of the spaces are on private driveways within a short walk of the stadium, so you're not battling for kerbside spots with everyone else heading to the same event.

You'll also tend to pay less than you would at a commercial car park, and you can compare options to find the spot that suits you – whether that's the closest to Gate B, the cheapest, or the easiest in-and-out for a quick getaway after the finals.

What to do before and after the athletics

Perry Barr has plenty going on around the stadium. One Stop Shopping Centre is just down the road if you fancy a coffee or a bite before the session, and there are pubs and casual restaurants within a short drive in Handsworth, Witton and along the A34. If you've got time either side of your session, Birmingham city centre is only a few miles away – worth a detour for the Bullring, the Jewellery Quarter, or a post-event pint in the Custard Factory.

A lot of fans like to build the weekend out a bit: book parking near the stadium for one day, then head into central Birmingham for dinner once the finals wrap up. Knowing your car is somewhere safe and pre-paid for makes that kind of plan a lot easier to pull off.

Book your space and enjoy the championships

The UK Athletics Championships only come around once a year, and having Birmingham as the host city – with the Europeans to follow – makes this weekend genuinely special. Get your parking sorted now, give yourself a relaxed morning, and focus on what really matters: cheering on Team GB's best.