Not enough bums in Brum: Why so many empty seats at European Athletics Championships? Sport Business Britain loves sport yet ticket sales for the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham have been slow. Ed Warner wonders why. British sport has a capacity problem or a bandwidth one, depending on which way you want to look at it. Too many seats in too many venues with too few bums to fill them. Or [...]
Give me home Euros over World Cup, but is it really worth £557m of taxpayers’ money? Sport Business I’m sure I’ll enjoy much of the 2026 World Cup, provided I can stay awake late enough, but I’ll approach Euro 2028 with far greater enthusiasm. Home nations competing on home soil in British Summer Time and with advertisers and broadcasters whipping up interest among the general populace. What’s not to like, other than violent [...]
Duplantis follows Bolt in having special ticket for athletics fans Sport Business Pole-vaulter Mondo Duplantis has followed in the footsteps of Usain Bolt by putting his name to a category of reduced price tickets for children. The Swedish field athlete’s Mondo Ticket will see young people able to watch the European Championships in Birmingham for £6.31, which mimics his world record. Jack Buckner, chief of UK Athletics, [...]
The best sport to watch live and solving your Christmas present dilemma December 4, 2025 “What’s the best sport you’ve ever seen, Ed?” The question from a young friend gave me pause. Not the best sporting event I’ve ever seen. That might not be easy, but some parameters immediately spring to mind to help refine my choice. No: the best sport, period. I’ve seen a fair few, after all. Got [...]
Women’s Rugby World Cup shows UK’s love of live sport August 21, 2025 The Women’s Rugby World Cup arriving in England is a timely reminder of what live sport can do. Sporting events forge some of the most positive and enduring moments of our lives, whether we’re stood on the terraces of our local club or sat in the stands at the biggest events on the planet. Live [...]
Is director training the answer to football’s governance woes? July 31, 2025 A new study suggests reforming football governance by testing and training directors. But is the regulator capable, asks Ed Warner? Countless millions follow professional football in England, claiming allegiance to a favourite club whose fortunes are entwined daily with each individual’s emotions, their highs and lows in seemingly unavoidable synchronicity. Turns out these essential forces [...]
London Marathon Events sprints to record surplus as profits surge July 8, 2025 The organiser of the London Marathon achieved a record surplus last year as pre-tax profit almost doubled to £12m. London Marathon Events, which also runs several other mass participation races, grew revenue from £48.9m to £59.8m and profit from £6.8m to £12.0m. That resulted in a record surplus passed to the London Marathon Foundation, its [...]
Government to hand £500m to sports events, athletics Worlds may miss out June 19, 2025 The Government will back major UK events such as the 2028 Euros and 2027 Tour de France depart to the tune of £500m, but did not publicly back the World Athletics Championships. DCMS Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on Thursday evening pledged £900m of investment into major sorting events and grassroots sports, with £500m reserved for [...]
European Athletics Championships: Five Brits to watch in Rome June 6, 2024 On Friday a 70-strong British team will begin the hunt for medals at the European Athletics Championships. And though Team GB haven’t sent a completely full strength squad, there will be an expectation for success in Rome over the next six days. Here are five Brits to watch across the European Athletics Championships. Keely Hodgkinson [...]