Birmingham council urged to 'carefully consider' potential bid for 'mega' sporting event

Birmingham could soon host another ‘mega’ sporting event in the coming years – but the city council has been urged to “carefully consider” whether it should.

Cabinet members at Birmingham Council will be asked next week to consider proposals to submit a bid for the Second City to host the World Para Athletics Championships in 2029.

In a new report, the council said the event represents an opportunity to build on the legacy of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, as well as other upcoming events such as Invictus Games 2027 and EURO 2028.

“Hosting the Championships would […] further establish Birmingham as the centre of athletics and para sport in the United Kingdom and secure the next mega sporting event in the city’s hosting pipeline,” it continued.

But commissioners – sent in by the government to oversee the council’s financial recovery – have told cabinet members they should consider not hosting the event.

They wrote that they acknowledged the potential economic, social, and reputational benefits of Birmingham hosting the Championships.

But amid the council’s “significant” financial challenges and “competing demands on scarce resources”, they continued that cabinet members should “carefully consider” whether not submitting a bid would provide greater benefits to residents.

They said going down this route would enable up to £6.05m to be invested in other services and priorities.

“Should cabinet decide to proceed with a bid, commissioners consider that this decision should be conditional upon securing a minimum 50 per cent contribution from external partners,” they added.

“Cabinet has a clear choice between requiring external funding of 50% of the full £6.05m cost […] or, as a minimum, 50% of the £5.25m host city subvention.”

On why a bid should be submitted, the council report said the Championships would position Birmingham on a global stage and reinforce its reputation as a “leading destination for major events”.

“The event would support Birmingham’s strategic ambition to become the UK’s home of athletics and strengthen the city’s international profile as an inclusive destination,” it said.

“The recent European Athletics Championships was well received internationally and was broadcast in 35 countries, giving 2,000 hours of live worldwide coverage.”

It added that the event would generate visitor spend, support local employment and create opportunities for volunteering and apprenticeships.

“Previous events such as the Commonwealth Games and European Athletics Championships have delivered £500m and £22m economic benefit respectively,” the report said.

The council says a non-binding Expression of Interest has been submitted to Athletics Ventures and UK Sport in collaboration with Birmingham Community Leisure Trust and West Midland Combined Authority (WMCA).

“This sets out the suitability, experience and capability of Alexander Stadium, Birmingham and the West Midlands as a prospective host city and does not itself create a binding financial commitment,” it said.

World Para Athletics are due to announce the shortlist of candidate cities on November 13, according to the report.

Cabinet members have been asked to approve the council’s participation as a funding partner in the formal bid to host the Championships and the submission of the bid.

They’ve also been recommended to approve “a maximum council financial envelope of £6.05m (subvention and delivery costs), delegating decision on the final subvention amount, of up to £5.25m with the council expected to receive 50 per cent of funding from external partners.”.

“Officers have proactively engaged senior officers at the WMCA on the basis of the city council and WMCA each contributing 50 per cent to the £5.25m subvention cost,” the report added.

“The expectation is that a decision will be reached by WMCA on or before November 13.”

The proposals will be considered by cabinet on Tuesday, November 10.