I enjoyed the event. I will make some comparisons with the Commonwealth Games (Athletics) in Glasgow which I also attended. Glasgow had far more volunteers all over the place giving directions and marshalling. Could have done with a little more of that in key points in Birmingham such as New St Station where it wasn't easy to discern where to go next. The competition itself was better organised than in Glasgow with fewer gaps. Rail travel to the venue was easy (if one doesn't mind a 25-minute walk) but I had a big problem when I tried to use the shuttle bus. I eventually found the bus stop with big queues and was told that I had to scan a QR code to obtain a ticket. I told the guy I had no connected phone to do so and he basically said "hard luck, mate". I accuse the organisers of blatant age discrimination, since the overwhelming majority of those of us without mobile phones are pensioners.
I was lucky enough to attend 6 sessions from Thursday through to Sunday.
Excellent athletics throughout. All our seats were in north stand- upper and lower and had excellent views.
We were also able to attend the medal ceremonies and this was excellent as staged in an area with screens but able to get fairly close. Saw an array of athletic stars from the past present the medals. It felt very communal with everyone cheering for every country on the rostrum.
Merchandise areas, little games, ‘posing’ areas, selection of food and drink stalls.
Toilets- not too bad for portaloo.
Probably could do with couple more water filling stations.
Quick access through security and lots of volunteers and friendly faces to help.
The only problem we encountered was lack of regular buses running back to Walsall- could have done with more. Many people had to get uber.
Absolutely loved the experience and sad it’s all over.
I was lucky enough to attend 6 sessions from Thursday through to Sunday.
Excellent athletics throughout. All our seats were in north stand- upper and lower and had excellent views.
We were also able to attend the medal ceremonies and this was excellent as staged in an area with screens but able to get fairly close. Saw an array of athletic stars from the past present the medals. It felt very communal with everyone cheering for every country on the rostrum.
Merchandise areas, little games, ‘posing’ areas, selection of food and drink stalls.
Toilets- not too bad for portaloo.
Probably could do with couple more water filling stations.
Quick access through security and lots of volunteers and friendly faces to help.
The only problem we encountered was lack of regular buses running back to Walsall- could have done with more. Many people had to get uber.
Absolutely loved the experience and sad it’s all over.
It was generally a good experience because the athletes delivered on the track. Alexander Stadium is a lovely stadium, with great facilities and it is the ideal size for Athletics; not to big and as a result I felt close to the action. However, the prices being charged for food and drinks were totally unacceptable. Having attended other athletics championships in Europe, I was shocked by the prices being charged in Alexander Stadium. Also, though the shuttle buses worked really well, again I was surprised that they weren't free of charge as transport often is in other cities at the time of such events. Having been there for the week meant it cost us almost £140 just to travel from the city centre to the venue. I disagree with there being less rounds in events such as the 5000m and I disagree that some athletes get a bye into the semi-finals. I feel that that takes from the value for money that the punters get. A punter may only go to the 200m heats and therefore nit get to see the biggest stars because they are not competing until the semis. I feel that there should be a week long ticket option as I had to book individually for each session. I also think that the prices were slightly dearer than I expected. I feel that the medal ceremonies should take place in the Stadium and that real flags should be used. It looked cheap doing it the way that it was done last week. Also, we encountered issues on three occasions with our ticket app not working properly and you seem unprepared for that. One or two individual stewards were brilliant in helping us sort it out but agreed that wifi needs to be boosted and the eventim app updates came at inappropriate times.
Excellent competition.
Only downside was lack of management of crow who appeared to be constantly on the move.
Easy to get to from station, well organised fan park with lots of options for supporters, good merchandise range. Excellent inside stadium and well presented.
Too expensive inside fan park really for food and drink with water priced at £3.95 and then £10 for a sandwich. Barriers and gates closed in areas on way out making it difficult with children and overcrowded. Medal ceremony poor and should have been in stadium.
Excellent well run games. The only issue that I have at such games is the fact that medals are no longer presented in the stadium. Whilst I understand that this can be disruptive to the smooth running of the event, there was definitely more than adequate time in the events programme to have allowed medal presentations in the stadium. I frankly think that it is disrespectful to any athlete to receive a medal at almost midnight.
Athletics fabulous, stadium great except toilets a disgrace, public transport to stadium diabolical, left stranded had to walk 7km back to hotel at midnight, day after had to leave early to make sure we got back safely. Taxi 30 euros!! Also no access to merchandise, couldn’t get all the way round the stadium, been to Germany twice had none of these problems would not go back to Rome.
European athletics championships was very good with various WL, CR, ER, PB, SB and NR by many athletes.
Entrance into stadium could have been made better with more gates being open. The final night was extremely bad and major delays getting in.
Getting taxis after the event was extremely difficult where perhaps an area dedicated to taxis would have helped.
However a thoroughly enjoyable week spent in a fantastic City
Poor organisation with regards to entry to the venue. Wouldn’t allow drinks bottles in so had to purchase single use water bottles from concessions which were, as usual, overpriced so despite the use of hybrid Toyota vehicles to ferry the numerous hangers on around it was not eco friendly or green. Sound system within the stadium was not clear, very muffled. Poorly attended unlike UK events which would be sold out.
Attended on 3 evenings. Lack of atmosphere due to numbers!
Should have thought about closing higher up do all spectators together
One evening seats by the raised jumping area- couldn’t see the track!
Event was great, however the traffic congestion to gain entry was horrendous. However, the traffic leaving the event was much better as was manually controlled and lanes closed to prevent build up. Similar approach should have been used for entry.
Facilities in the stadium were great with plenty of food outlets.
Great event and smooth experience
Attended the athletics on 7-8 -22 (am) after paying £125 per ticket , we were on the back straight , was most disapointed with our view as couldn't see start or finishes of races as big screens not good enough . If you are going to charge big prices for seats @ least check out the views & improve the big screens . That said organisation on the day was outstanding !!!
Just back from first day of Commonwealth Games athletics. Although we paid £50 each for our seats the view of the events from block 126 was very poor.Everything seemed to be happening on the other side of the arena. Even the large screens had light fittings blocking part of the view! Info screens for the field events were also difficult to see and very confusing when TWO groups were competing in the same event e.g. long jump. Also as several events took place at the same time it was not possible to show every thing we could not see on the large screens.
On the whole we would have been better saving our money and watching it on TV.
This is a great shame as we have attended many events at the Alexander in the past and always enjoyed them. This unfortunately was poorly planned from a spectators point of view made worse because we were allocated seats and so had no chance to obtain the view we would have liked.