What is the Multi-sport European Championships, where are they being held and how can I watch?

Athletics, rowing and cycling are all part of the multi-sport event which first took place in 2018

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Luke WeirTrending Writer

17:14, 15 AUG 2022

Emily Craig and Imogen Grant of Great Britain posing with their gold medals after winning the lightweight women's double sculls final A during day four of the European Championships (Image: Getty Images)

With the Birmingham Commonwealth Games having only just drawn to a close, sport-lovers haven’t had long to wait for the next multi-sport extravaganza. The 2022 Multi-sport European Championships got underway last week for its week-and-a-half schedule.

The biggest stars from across the continent face off in a variety of sporting events to determine Europe’s leading athletes. While the individual sport European Championships have been going for many more years, this year marks just the second instance in which they have joined forces and united under one banner.

Around 4,700 athletes from 50 European nations will compete for 177 gold medals, including a 115-strong Great Britain team. Among them is Dina Asher-Smith, who will look to defend her European sprint title after injury ruled her out of the Commonwealth Games.

What are the Multi-sport European Championships?

The Multi-sport European Championships was devised to bring the respective European competitions all under one banner. Like with the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, the Championships take place every four years after its debut in 2018.

It was hoped that this would elevate the prestige of being the champion of Europe and create a must-watch, must-attend event. Athletes take part under a Mark of a Champion branding, with 177 gold medals up for grabs.

The European Championships Trophy will be awarded to the country that tops the overall medal table, which was won by Russia in 2018 with Great Britain as runners up.

What sports are included in the Multi-sport European Championships?

In total, nine different sports agreed to play their respective European competitions under the same roof. They are athletics, beach volleyball, canoe sprint, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, sport climbing, table tennis and triathlon.

Despite being included in 2018, the PGA European Tour announced that golf would not be included this time around.

Where are the Multi-sport European Championships being held?

This year’s edition of the European Championships takes place in Munich, Germany, 50 years after the city hosted the 1972 Olympic Games. The athletics, cycling and triathlon will take place at the Olympiapark which hosted those Games five decades ago.

In 2018, the event was jointly hosted by cities in the UK and Germany.

How to watch the multi-sport European Championships?

The relatively recently re-branded set of competitions is comprehensively broadcast on the BBC. All the key moments, involving the best that British competitors have to offer, can be seen across BBC One and BBC Two.

From day two onwards (August 12), the action begins at 9am on BBC Two before switching to BBC One for the afternoon session from 1.45pm. The evening will then take centre stage on BBC Two from 6pm.

The entire event will also be streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, allowing fans to find the specific action they wish to watch. Leading the coverage are presenters Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Jeanette Kwakye.