Ahead of the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships, we caught up with European record holder and proud Birchfield Harrier, Matt Hudson-Smith, to talk competing in front of a home crowd, getting carried away at the Commonwealths and having a stand named after him

The European 400m record-holder and second-most decorated male European athlete in history, Matt Hudson-Smith is a part of a long line of successful athletes from the West Midlands, so much so that the organisers of the Championships surprised Matt by naming a stand after him at his home track and venue for the event, Alexander Stadium.

Matt says he thought he was just going to a media event to promote the Championships and became confused when he spotted his Nan. He admits he wasn’t wearing his glasses, so everything was a bit blurry! “It was a surreal,” he says. “I had no idea what was going on. I could see my family and I just couldn’t understand why. It was a special moment to share it with them. It’s an indication of all the hard work I’ve put in. To get a stand named after me is the icing on the cake of a great career and now I want to add more to it at Europeans.”

HOME SWEET HOME

Cherry Alexander, Championship director for Birmingham 2026, said: “Matthew is a true homegrown star, and we were delighted to welcome him home by unveiling the Matthew Hudson-Smith Stand.” She added: “Matthew’s international achievements are inspiring a future generation to dig deep, and this stand is a celebration of that. We hope to fill the stand with young local fans, and maybe even the next Matthew-Hudson Smith will be in the crowd watching him compete in front of a home crowd.” Matt has grown up at Alexander Stadium essentially. He says a lot of the people that worked there when he joined the club as a keen nine-year-old are still there and have watched him grow up.

Now with two Olympic medals (silver in 400m at Paris and 4x400m relay bronze), four European titles and a World Championships silver medal, Matt is the fifth-fastest person in the 400m event in history. It’s a gruelling event that Matt and other athletes describe as ‘the man killer’. Matt avoided the distance when he was younger but as his mate, Olympic and World 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu always says: “The event chooses you!” And it certainly chose Matt.

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

He says everyone respects the 400m as other athletes know how tough it is and between the 400m athletes themselves there’s always mutual respect as they all know what goes into it. Matt says: “You’re all working your tail off. You worked hard, I worked hard. Everyone’s been through their own trials and tribulations.” He adds: “If you’re fit, lactic acid kicks in at around 300m. If you’re not fit, lactic hits at 180m and that’s a struggle.”

In terms of competing in Birmingham and reacting to a home crowd, Matt says: “I had a glimpse into it at the Commonwealth Games and I was like a deer in the headlights. I had this wave of emotion and I let it affect my performance. I’ve learnt from that. I understand how to navigate it now.” Like the rest of us Matt thought Birmingham did an incredible job hosting the Commonwealth Games, so we’re excited for the European Championships. He says foreign athletes always love UK meets and the crowds are electric. We chatted when Matt had just a handful of races left in the build up to the Europeans to ensure he peaks at the right time.

FLIRTING WITH FOOTIE

It wasn’t always athletics for Matt. He was a decent football player who had trials at Wolves and Walsall and had to make a choice as a teen. He was clearly rapid on the pitch which meant he got tackled a lot as the opposition couldn’t match his pace. He says his knees couldn’t hack it so he thew himself into athletics. He also admits he used to lose concentration and he’d be watching a butterfly or similar instead of focusing on the game.

One of his athletics heroes and someone who drew him into the sport is Christine. “I remember watching Christine at the Beijing Olympics. She won and it was so inspiring. She really sparked an interest in me. It’s funny because she’s someone I speak to all the time now.” Another hero is Usain Bolt. Matt says: “Not much needs saying about the man!”

NEXT GENERATION

In terms of ambition, Matt says: “On the track, gold Olympic and World titles but I’d also like to build a legacy and help the next generation coming through. I’m not a very vocal person – I’m trying to get better as I’d like to shout about what a talented region we are, not just in athletics. We’re here on a big stage. This region produces big. Think about football – Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish. We’ve got to believe in ourselves.”

We asked Matt for his football World Cup predictions and he’s ambitious. “England will make the semi-finals at least…” We’re not sure about football coming home, but athletics in Birmingham on Matt’s home turf? That’ll do for now.