Two Four Six Sports has been appointed to initiate the delivery of the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships.
Stephen Brown, as founder of Two Four Six Sports, will now deliver those services in his position as Interim Chief Operating Officer of the Championships.
Birmingham was announced as host of Europe’s most prestigious athletics competition following a successful bid process with UK Athletics in November 2022 – the first time the country will have hosted the European Athletics Championships.
Brown previously served as Chief Operating Officer for the Rugby League World Cup 2021 and was instrumental in the delivery of the first-ever staging of simultaneous men, women and wheelchair games at a Rugby League World Cup.
The event was acclaimed for its successful social impact programme, commitment to inclusion, broadcast and commercial partnerships and was recently nominated for three awards at the 2023 Sports Industry Awards.
Speaking on the appointment, Brown said: “I am delighted that Two Four Six Sports has been contracted for this exciting opportunity and I will fulfil the role of Interim Chief Operating Officer for the European Athletics Championships in 2026. I am very grateful to Birmingham City Council, UK Athletics and UK Sport for giving me this opportunity and putting their trust in me.
“I am enthusiastic to be able to learn and work in a new sport in what is an exciting time for mega events in the UK and Birmingham and I look forward to building on the recent success of the Commonwealth Games.”
Cherry Alexander, UKA’s Strategic Lead for Major Events and European Athletics Vice-President, said: “We are delighted to welcome Stephen to this crucial interim Chief Operating Officer position ahead of Birmingham 2026.
“UK Athletics’ track record for staging major championships such as the hugely successful World Athletics and World Para Athletics Championships in London means we are excited to work with individuals who can help maintain this standard of world class delivery.
“We look forward to working with Stephen alongside the other partners to bring to life our vision for this Championships and ensure the sport of athletics is given an amazing platform in 2026.”