University News Last updated 03 August
As Official University Partner of Birmingham 2026, BCU is playing a central role in delivering one of the biggest sporting events to ever come to the city with students taking up exclusive event delivery opportunities and volunteering roles, as well as competing on the track itself.
Taking place at Alexander Stadium from 10 – 16 August, this is the first time the European Athletics Championships have been staged in the UK. As Official University Partner, BCU students will gain incredible real-life experience in a range of bespoke roles co-designed by BCU and the Birmingham 2026 team, a first for this kind of large-scale sporting event.
Eight BCU students are taking up one-of-a-kind opportunities where they will gain first-hand professional experience of working on a major international sporting event, part of nearly 100 student roles which includes volunteering opportunities.
All the professional roles have been uniquely designed to provide students with access all areas so they can gain first-hand experience of how a major international sporting event is delivered, all of which supports the students future career aspirations and employability.
BA Photography student Adam Bugden is joining the Media Operations team shadowing the communications team throughout the Championships, from photographing each athlete on arrival to supporting the photography team throughout.
“Opportunities like this are so important for students, it’s my chance to see professionals working in the field I want to make it into.” Adam said, adding “It’s the first time I will have worked on a major city event, I am looking forward to the hype in the city and an opportunity to capture it myself through my photography.”
Abdulai Kromah a BA Business Management student will work as part of Team Services supporting each competing Team on arrival assisting with orientation and logistics providing support at Team hotels, training venues and at the stadium.
“I’m looking forward to learning how the whole operation works, seeing the Championships from behind the scenes and understanding how everything happens” Abdulai said, “opportunities like this don’t come very often so I am hoping to learn and experience as much as I can to understand what it is to work in this sector.”
Two students, Ethan Sumner and Jacob Tuffield, both from BA Media Production will join the Social Media team for the duration of the Championships. Their role will offer hands on experience of how European Athletics delivers digital and social media activity, including working with the athletes themselves, filming their post-medal responses as they achieve some of the biggest moments of their careers.
“I’ve never worked on anything of this scale” said Ethan, “experiences in industry are few and far between so to have this opportunity through BCU is brilliant. I’m looking forward to gaining more industry experience and seeing the athletes compete.”
Jacob added “I applied for the role as it’s a great one-off opportunity in Birmingham to gain some real experience alongside established professionals. It is going to be a great week in the City.”
BCU is also powering Birmingham 2026 on the track itself. Sam Lunt, a third-year student in BSc Sport and Exercise Science, will represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the Men’s 4x400m relay squad at the European Athletics Championships in August.
“To have a BCU student athlete selected to compete in a major international competition, which is not only being hosted at our home for sport, the Alexander Stadium, but a competition for which we are the Official University Partner shows the value of Sport to us, as an organisation,” said Phil Llewellyn, Director of Sport at BCU.
“Sam has worked incredibly hard to earn his selection and we are all very excited to see him and the team strive for medals. We hope the opportunity for him to compete at the same venue where he studies and trains on a daily basis will give him a great boost!”
BCU’s role as Official University Partner demonstrates the University’s commitment to accelerating opportunities for staff and students and its role as an exemplar anchor institution in the region. To find out more visit: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/european-athletics-championships
During Birmingham 2026 you can find BCU’s sports activation stand throughout the week at Alexander Stadium in the Birmingham 2026 Fan Zone, a chance to try out some sporting activities for yourself as well as the courses on offer at BCU. BCU will also be in Champions Square (Centenary Square) from Thursday to Sunday.
Tickets start from £5 for children and £10 for adults. To book and find out more, visit tickets.birmingham26.com.
Image: Sam Lunt, BSc Sport and Exercise Science student will compete at Birmingham 2026.