# Empty seats at European Championships prompt criticism

Thousands of empty seats were visible during the European Championships, drawing criticism from spectators and officials. The sparse attendance raised questions about ticket pricing, venue location, and event promotion. Organizers may need to address these issues to avoid a similar outcome at future championships.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Sports
- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jl66j9yjpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:12:49 GMT
- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/swimming/articles/c4g4vyrdpddo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:49:22 GMT
- [The Guardian Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/aug/11/european-athletics-championships-day-two-live) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:45:43 GMT