World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has minimized concerns that vacant seats during the European championships could harm London’s candidacy for the 2029 global event.Low attendance figures in the early days at Birmingham sparked widespread discussion regarding promotional efforts and ticket costs, despite the final four days approaching full capacity.
Coe Defends London Bid Amid Birmingham Crowd Criticism
The European championships in Birmingham sparked intense debate earlier in the week following reports of about 10,000 empty seats during opening sessions, alongside public complaints regarding ticket prices, travel arrangements, and event marketing. Premium admission for Monday through Wednesday evenings cost £110, which increased to £150 for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Event planners report that over half of all tickets cost £30 or less, with adult options beginning at £10. Despite initial attendance struggles that accompanied gold-medal performances by athletes like Amy Hunt and Jakob Ingebrigtsen, ticket sales surged to near-sellouts for the final four days of competition, and European Athletics on Friday it also said expressed delight that the event was getting peak audiences “exceeding two million people” and a 20% market share on the BBC.
When questioned about the vacant seats and their potential influence on London’s proposal, Coe was quick to highlight that the British capital consistently attracted capacity crowds during the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2017 world championships. “It’s horses for courses,” he said. “We had London in 2012, London in 2017, London will point to having sold out Diamond League five months before the event took place … I think back to 2017 in London, we started on a Friday night and we had the advantage of Mo Farah being the centrepiece.” Referring to Birmingham’s situation, Coe added: “I think it was a challenge. It’s always a challenge starting a championship on a Monday morning … local circumstances, middle of the summer, pretty hot out there, not a lot of covering in the stadium, I think there will be a whole series of things.”
The 2029 Bidding Process and Evaluation Metrics
London faces competition from Munich, Nairobi and Rome to secure hosting rights for the 2029 world championships, with a final determination expected next month. The head of athletics noted that he will not possess a vote regarding the selection of the 2029 host, which takes place next month. Following an assessment of the four competing contenders—London, Munich, Nairobi, and Rome—utilizing a specific set of criteria, an evaluation panel will present its findings to the World Athletics Council for the ultimate decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides who hosts the 2029 World Athletics Championships?
The World Athletics Council makes the final decision based on recommendations from an evaluation panel that analyzes candidate cities using specific metrics and guarantees.
Which cities are bidding for the 2029 World Championships?
London, Munich, Nairobi, and Rome are the four cities contending for the 2029 hosting rights.
Does Sebastian Coe vote on the 2029 host city?
Coe said he would not have a vote for the 2029 world championships.
Did you know? London previously sold out its annual Diamond League athletics meeting five months ahead of the event, according to statements from Sebastian Coe.
Worth a look