Birmingham City Council has insisted that a controversial change at Alexander Stadium ‘will enhance the venue’s legacy’.
The Perry Barr stadium played a central role in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, hosting both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the athletics competition.
There’s also optimism that the venue will help put Birmingham on the world sporting map and deliver a long-term legacy from the event.
But a divisive plan to hand the running of the site to Birmingham Community Leisure Trust and its partners, Serco, until 2030 was met with anger earlier this year.
Resident Andrew Gulliver, who launched an online petition against the ‘handover’, argued that Alexander Stadium “belongs to Birmingham, not to Serco”.
“The Alexander Stadium site was built as a lasting legacy for our city,” he said at the time. “It was promoted as a long-term benefit for the local community.”
Despite the petition being signed more than 1,000 times, the proposal was given the green light by cabinet members at the city council back in June.
The Labour-run local authority has now confirmed this week that BCLT and Serco have been announced as the new operators of Alexander Stadium.
It added that they will both assume responsibility for the new Perry Fitness and Indoor Athletics Centre, which is within the same footprint as the stadium complex.
Councillor Mariam Khan, cabinet member for health and social care, defended the change in a statement, saying: “The stadium will remain publicly owned.
“Through our partnership with Serco and Birmingham Community Leisure Trust, we are working together to further enhance the stadium’s long-term legacy as a vibrant hub for sport, connection, fitness and community.”
She also said: “Alexander Stadium was the beating heart of the Commonwealth Games.
“Today the stadium continues as a world class sports venue, delivering major sport events whilst also continuing to service the community.”
Simon Lane, managing director for Serco Leisure, added: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with BCLT and BCC, as managing agent for this internationally renowned venue.
“Over the next 12 months, we’ll be working closely with BCC to support the delivery of the European Athletics Championships, which will be hosted at the stadium in August 2026, marking the first time the UK has held this prestigious event.”
The council recently said Alexander Stadium will be the city’s “key facility” for delivering international events as well as national and regional competitions for athletics.
“It is therefore essential that the facility now transitions to its most efficient and effective operating model to capitalise on its investment,” it said.
The council has also said the stadium would remain in public ownership and run on its behalf by BCLT, which already operates nine of its leisure centres.
There is set to be a detailed review of future options, including a full open tender, in 2030 when the stadium is more established.
It was only last month that Alexander Stadium was named as the new home for West Bromwich Albion Women. It was revealed in August that the club had signed an agreement for the team to play league matches at the arena for the 2025/26 campaign.
“It is fantastic to welcome West Bromwich Albion Women to the Alexander Stadium for their home games in the Women’s National League North this season,” cllr Khan said.
“Their presence here highlights the stadium’s redevelopment into a world class, multi-sport venue with outstanding facilities and reaffirms our commitment to supporting local teams as they grow and develop.”
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