Hudson-Smith secures historic third European 400m title in Birmingham
Matt Hudson-Smith became the first man to win three European Championship 400m titles in Birmingham on 12 August 2026, taking the final at Alexander Stadium in 44.17sec. He celebrated wearing a crown in front of the Matthew Hudson-Smith Stand and told reporters: “Nobody is going to beat me on this track.”
The 31-year-old, born in Wolverhampton and long based in Birmingham, started the final from lane nine and ran aggressively from the gun before beginning to tie up in the closing 70 metres but still held enough to win. Hudson-Smith emphasised his connection to the venue, saying: “This is my home. I have been here since I was nine. I know this track like the back of my hand.” He becomes the first man to claim three European 400m crowns.
Muhammad Abdallah Kounta of France took silver in 44.40, while Jonas Phijffers of the Netherlands finished a hundredth of a second further back to take bronze in a new national record. The medalists were reported as content with their results.
Hudson-Smith responded sharply to suggestions he had been carrying an injury, saying: “You guys need to come with the facts, man. Saying I was injured and everything. The whole point of rounds is to survive and advance. I tried to conserve in the rounds.” He added: “Me and my coach were laughing all the way around. I knew I was the best in the world. I knew that. On paper, I was a second faster than these guys. My coach said: ‘Once you seal the deal, make sure you do it,’” and finished: “This is your home. Defend it.”
Organisers noted the Matthew Hudson-Smith Stand was not full despite the local hero’s victory, with most of the £110 Category A seats in the main stand sold out but cheaper tickets priced as low as £40 and £20 struggling to shift. The article cited several factors affecting sales, including the stadium being out of town, limited nearby parking and the cost of living crisis, and reported that the final four days of competition are said to be sell-outs.
Commentary compared Birmingham to recent hosts, noting the last four European championships were staged in Rome, Munich, Berlin and Amsterdam and that those cities lend themselves to combining sport with wider cultural visits; as one press box wag put it, “Rome has the Colosseum, Birmingham has the Bullring.” European Athletics said in a statement: “Naturally, we would love to see a full stadium for every session, because nothing compares with the energy of a packed Alexander Stadium and the support it gives to the athletes. We are very pleased that demand for tickets to the second half of the championships is strong.”
There was a second British podium on the night when Emily Newnham charged late to silver in the women’s 400m hurdles, running a personal best of 53.33. Emma Zapletalova of Slovakia won in 52.91, and Fatoumata Binta Diallo set a national record for Portugal of 53.55 to take bronze. Newnham dedicated her performance to her mother, saying: “Mum, I love you so much. You’re my inspiration this year. Keep fighting – you’ve got this.”
European Athletics said about 80% of tickets — roughly 200,000 in total — have now been sold and that organisers are expecting big crowds for the last few days of the championships.