Alexander Stadium

Alexander Stadium stands in Perry Barr, a district of Birmingham in the West Midlands. It is the largest athletics stadium in the United Kingdom, built on a flat site with four permanent stands. The stadium includes the Gymnastics and Martial Arts Centre, a High Performance Centre, and the curved-roofed West Stand. Original construction began in 1975 and the stadium opened the following year. It is owned and run by Birmingham City Council. The stadium has hosted major events including the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where it held the opening and closing ceremonies plus athletics and para-athletics competitions. It also staged the British Grand Prix from 2011 to 2019 and the 2022 Diamond League meeting. Temporary seating raised capacity to 40,000 for the Games, with the option to extend to that number for future events. Birchfield Harriers now use it as their home ground. Visitors find a nine-lane World Athletics certified track with a six-lane warm-up track and throws field beside it. The West Stand has six hospitality boxes and a 450-seat lounge with views over the track. Public leisure activities include fitness classes, martial arts, athletics and gymnastics. The stadium also offers rooms for hire for corporate, community and sporting events.