23 January 2014

British Athletics confirmed today that all three of the 2014 indoor athletics events are sold out, with a record number of athletics fans attending four days of world-class athletics in Glasgow, Sheffield and Birmingham.

The season kicks off in Glasgow this weekend at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match when 44 global medallists will compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, USA, Scotland and a Commonwealth Select in front of a capacity crowd at the Emirates Arena on 25 January.

Two weeks later on 8-9 February the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield will host the Sainsbury’s British Indoor Championships, the highest level of indoor domestic competition in the country, while the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham will bring the season to a close on 15 February at the Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix, which remains the biggest annual indoor meet in the world.

British Athletics Chief Executive, Niels de Vos said:

“We are delighted that once again our indoor events have attracted capacity crowds, showing that the appetite for athletics in this country is very much alive – British Athletics continues to have a worldwide reputation for staging great events which inspire the public. 

“The Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match has over 40 global medallists competing in a unique team competition and it’s testament to the quality of the events that Olympic, World and European medallists look to return to Britain year after year, using our meets as crucial components of their preparations for major championships.   

“British Athletics, with the support of Sainsbury’s, continue to innovate with the integration of Paralympic Stars alongside their Olympic counterparts – an area in which we lead the world. The fact that we are already sold out at all three events in Glasgow, Sheffield and Birmingham is fantastic news.”

To celebrate a sold-out indoor season, British Athletics is asking athletics fans “Will you be there?” For your chance to win a pair of VIP tickets to a British Athletics outdoor event of your choice in 2014 and signed GB&NI vests from the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match, use #IllBeThere on Twitter and tell us which event you’re attending and who you’ll be cheering for.

The Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match and the Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix will be broadcast live on BBC. Watch the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match live on BBC One and via the BBC website this Saturday from 13:45.