Birmingham's European Athletics Championships are off to a roaring start - if by 'roaring' you mean the sound of crickets echoing through a half-empty stadium. Keely Hodgkinson's coach and BBC commentator Steve Cram have led a chorus of concern over ticket prices that are scaring off fans faster than a 100m sprinter.

Fans at Alexander Stadium are also getting a workout for their wallets, with a barbecue pork roll setting you back £18.50, a bratwurst hot dog £15, and a bottle of water £3.95 - because nothing says 'hydration' like a price tag that rivals a mortgage payment.

Officially, more than 13,000 fans were in attendance Monday night to witness Amy Hunt's 100m gold medal victory. Unofficially, the 23,000-capacity venue looked about as full as a politician's promise. The timing couldn't be more awkward: London's bid team for the 2029 World Athletics Championships is due to make its final presentation on Friday, and this spectacle of empty seats is hardly a winning pitch.

Ticket pricing breakdown, for the financially masochistic: Category A seats in the main stand cost £110, Category B £90, and they've been better filled than the £60 (Category C) and £40 (Category D) seats - because apparently, the cheaper seats are where the budget-conscious go to enjoy a view of... nothing.

Amy Hunt's agent, Nick Harwell, took to social media after her victory with a succinct critique: 'Crazy prices. Such a shame.' Steve Cram, BBC's main athletics commentator and former world 1500m champion, admitted the low figures: 'A little disappointing in terms of spectators, I have to say that. Particularly down the back straight there. There's not very many people at all in those stands.'

Birmingham city centre shows little sign this prestigious event is happening, which is odd because you'd think a continental championship would leave some trace. The empty seats in the £60 and £40 areas have led some to question whether Birmingham 2026 did enough to attract casual fans. For those who do brave it, parking costs £22.50 via park-and-ride, or £17.50 for park-and-walk - a 45-minute stroll that likely doubles as a cross-training session.

Jenny Meadows, Hodgkinson's coach, summed up fan feedback on X: 'Hearing from fans re high ticket prices, parking issues and even people not knowing it was taking place.'

A Birmingham 2026 spokesperson defended the prices, noting that 50% of tickets cost £30 or less, with adult tickets from £10. 'Birmingham 2026 is delighted with ticket sales for the Championships, which have far surpassed our targets,' they said. 'Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening sessions are approaching sell-out, with several other sessions close to capacity. There are still opportunities to be part of the Championships at incredibly good value, including the 'Mondo' £6.31 children's ticket for Friday morning - named in honour of his world record - while a family of four can attend for as little as £30.'

But commentator Sonja McLaughlan spoke for many when she expressed shock at prices that will rise to a top of £150 for the final three days. 'Actually a bit shocked at type of prices being charged,' she posted. 'It's a shame for the athletes who deserve better. The sport has this precious window without football, free to air television exposure and it looks flat with such a sparse crowd.'

Responses to her post suggested giving empty seats away free to youth athletics clubs. One fan called it 'perhaps the worst prices I've seen at a sporting event. Not even Cheltenham competes with this.'

And let's not forget the logistical joys: the last event finishes after 9.50pm, requiring families to walk a mile to the nearest train station or catch a bus back to a park-and-ride. On Monday night, junction 10-11 of the M6 near the stadium was closed, just to add a little extra spice to the commute. But hey, at least the athletes get a gold medal - the fans just get a lighter wallet.