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The 2026 European Athletics Championships take over Alexander Stadium in Birmingham from August 10–16, marking the first time a British city has ever hosted the event.
Fifty gold medals are up for grabs across 24 men’s, 24 women’s and two mixed relay events, with a stacked start list that includes Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr renewing their 1500m rivalry.
The Championships aren’t broadcast in Canada, so you’ll need a VPN to watch live coverage on BBC iPlayer and RTE Player.
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When & Where is the European Athletics Championships Happening?
European Athletics Championships 2026
Championship Timeline
Host Venue
How to Watch the European Athletics Championships in Canada Live for Free
There’s no official Canadian broadcaster carrying the European Athletics Championships, but every session airs free on BBC iPlayer in the UK.
Connecting to a UK server through a VPN lets you unblock and stream it from Canada at no cost.
Here’s how to watch the European Athletics Championships in Canada on BBC iPlayer:
Step 1: Subscribe to a reliable VPN (Surfshark is our recommended choice)
Step 2: Download Surfshark VPN App and install it on your device.
Step 3: Open the VPN and connect to a server in the UK
Step 4: Open BBC iPlayer and click on Sign in
Step 5: Enter your email
Step 6: Enter your password
Step 7: Go to the home page and click on TV Guide
Step 8: Select the broadcast from Aug 10 to Aug 16 and search for Athletics or European Championships
Step 9: Start streaming live for free!
Another Way to Watch European Athletics Championships in Canada
Since Canada lacks an official broadcast partner for the European Athletics Championships, another great free option is RTÉ Player.
As Ireland’s national broadcaster and an official EBU member, RTÉ provides live free-to-air coverage of key track and field sessions.
Because RTÉ Player’s live sports feed is geo-restricted to Ireland, you will need to use a VPN connected to an Irish server to access the stream from Canada.
Here’s how to watch European Athletics Championships in Canada for free on mobile:
Step 1: Subscribe to Surfshark VPN App and connect to the Ireland server.
Step 2: Open the RTE Player
Step 4: Tap on the three horizontal lines and select Sign In
Step 5: Enter your account details
Step 6: Go to the three horizontal lines again, and click on Live
Step 7: Search for European Athletics Championships and enjoy streaming
European Athletics Championships 2026 Schedule
Here is the schedule for the European Athletics Championships, in Canadian time, including session dates.
| Date | Event / Session | Time (Eastern Time) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Aug 10, 2026 | Heats & Qualifications: W Shot Put, M 800m, W 100m, M 400m | 05:35 AM – 08:10 AM |
| Mon, Aug 10, 2026 | Finals: W 100m, M 5000m, M/W Shot Put, Mixed 4x400m Relay | 02:00 PM – 04:50 PM |
| Tue, Aug 11, 2026 | Heats & Qualifications: M High Jump, M 100m, M 110mH, W 800m | 05:33 AM – 08:15 AM |
| Tue, Aug 11, 2026 | Finals: M 100m, W 100m Hurdles, W 5000m, M Long Jump, M Hammer | 02:05 PM – 04:50 PM |
| Wed, Aug 12, 2026 | Decathlon Day 1, Heats: W 400m, W 200m, M 800m Semis | 05:35 AM – 08:20 AM |
| Wed, Aug 12, 2026 | Finals: M 400m, W 400m Hurdles, M 110m Hurdles, W Hammer | 02:05 PM – 04:50 PM |
| Thu, Aug 13, 2026 | Decathlon Day 2, Heats: M 200m, W High Jump, M Javelin Q | 05:33 AM – 10:25 AM |
| Thu, Aug 13, 2026 | Finals: M 800m, W 200m, W 3000m SC, W Triple Jump, W Pole Vault | 01:35 PM – 04:55 PM |
| Fri, Aug 14, 2026 | Heptathlon Day 1, Relay Heats: M 4x400m, W 4x400m, M 1500m | 05:35 AM – 07:35 AM |
| Fri, Aug 14, 2026 | Finals: M 200m, W 800m, W 10,000m, M 400mH, M High Jump | 02:35 PM – 04:50 PM |
| Sat, Aug 15, 2026 | Road Races: Half Marathon / Race Walk & 4x100m Relay Heats | 02:30 AM – 08:30 AM |
| Sat, Aug 15, 2026 | Finals: M 1500m, W 400m, M 10,000m, M/W 4x100m Relays | 02:45 PM – 05:00 PM |
| Sun, Aug 16, 2026 | City Centre Events: Men's & Women's Marathons | 02:30 AM – 06:00 AM |
| Sun, Aug 16, 2026 | Finals: M Pole Vault, W 1500m, M 3000m SC, M/W 4x400m Relays | 02:30 PM – 05:00 PM |
Key 2026 Championship Highlights
The 2026 edition brings a few storylines worth knowing:
First Time in Britain: Birmingham becomes the first British city to host the European Athletics Championships, staged at the newly renovated Alexander Stadium.
Middle-Distance Rematch: Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr renew their rivalry over 1500m, with Ingebrigtsen also targeting the 5000m.
Home Favourites: Keely Hodgkinson and Georgia Hunter Bell headline the 800m, while Katarina Johnson-Thompson returns to the heptathlon on home soil.
Field Event Stars: Mondo Duplantis headlines the pole vault, while Yaroslava Mahuchikh returns to the women’s high jump.
Other Sports To Watch in Canada
Viewers in Canada can watch many other live sports leagues besides the European Athletics Championships, like:
- Watch US Open Golf in Canada
- Watch Golf Masters in Canada
- Watch NHL Finals in Canada
- Watch MLB Live in Canada
FAQs – European Athletics Championships 2026
1. Is there an official Canadian broadcaster for the European Athletics Championships?
No, there’s currently no confirmed Canadian broadcast partner. The best way to watch live in Canada is via BBC iPlayer or free sports apps using a VPN with a UK server, like Surfshark.
2. Where is the 2026 European Athletics Championships being held?
The Championships take place at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England, from August 10 to 16, 2026.
3. How many events are at the European Athletics Championships?
There are 50 events in total: 24 men’s, 24 women’s, and two mixed relays.
4. Who are the athletes to watch in 2026?
Keep an eye on Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Josh Kerr, Mondo Duplantis, Keely Hodgkinson, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Yaroslava Mahuchikh, among other top European stars.
5. Is BBC iPlayer free to use?
Yes, BBC iPlayer is free with a UK TV licence-linked account, but it’s geo-restricted outside the UK, so a VPN with a UK server is required to access it from Canada.
Conclusion
The 2026 European Athletics Championships run from August 10 to 16 at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, marking the first time Britain has hosted the event, with a stacked field chasing 50 gold medals.
Since there’s no official Canadian broadcaster, the best way to watch live in Canada is through BBC iPlayer or free sports apps, both accessible with a trusted VPN. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
