Alexander Stadium development

The plans

Nightime view of athletics track with audience

Our aim has been to develop a world-class sports destination that can hold vibrant national and international sporting events, welcoming athletes from around the UK and the world. Alexander Stadium's permanent capacity has increased by over 5,000 seats to 17,250, enabling more spectators to watch inspirational events unfold, such as the highly successful Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Key features include:

  • a new west stand replacing the Main, Knowles and Nelson stands with a range of conferencing and hospitality suites for hire;
  • a new 400m 6-lane warm up track and re-laying of a new IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) Category 1 track (400m 9-lane competition standard track);
  • installation of new stadium lighting and practice throwing field
  • introduction of a practice throwing field; and
  • improved public realm and parking provision, with additional landscaping and signage

These improvements have made the venue the largest facility of its kind in the UK, giving Birmingham a golden opportunity to reaffirm its claim to be the national home of athletics.

The stadium revamp is just one piece of a much bigger picture we are developing. Health and wellbeing are a key part in people’s lives and the long-term version for the site is being developed with plans to create a sport and community hub for residents in Perry Barr and the wider north-west Birmingham to use and benefit from.

The stadium will also serve as a new teaching base for Birmingham City University’s Sports and Exercise students, marking a return to the university’s spiritual home of Perry Barr.

Local funding

Since 2010, the government has awarded Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership Limited (GBSLEP) £433 million to invest in a range of projects to grow the local economy.

This includes transport, skills & business development, innovation, and cultural and creative assets.

The GBSLEP have contributed £20 million from the Local Growth Fund to support in the £72 million redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium.

This contribution has helped in providing a stage for sports and events in the region and provide a catalyst for wider investment.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has also contributed £25 million to the scheme.

Page last updated: 9 April 2024

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