The stage is set for an exceptional weekend of competition as the 2026 Novuna UK Athletics Indoor Championships return to the Utilita Arena Birmingham on 14–15 February, bringing together the nation’s finest athletes ahead of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń (20–22 March 2026). There is still time to secure your ticket for the weekend here. 

The multiple Olympic medallist Josh Kerr (Edinburgh; Danny Mackey) is back in action and will be going for World indoor qualification in the men’s 3000m. Can he help push Henry Mcluckie (Isle of Wight; Terance Mahon) and Thomas Keen (Cambridge & Colridge; Mark Vile) run a fast time in Birmingham on Sunday afternoon? A race not to be missed!

British sprinting will be showcased at its very best with the inclusion of Dina Asher‑Smith (Blackheath & Bromley; Michael J Ford), back after many years away from these indoor championships. She will be up against 200m World silver medallist Amy Hunt (Charnwood; Marco Airale), who made it to the final of the European Championships last year.

Paris Olympic medallist Imani Lansiquot (Sutton & District; Marco Airale) is back after overcoming injury, and UKA Futures athletes Joy Eze (Gateshead; Mike Donnelly) and Mabel Akande (Lincoln Wellington; Denise Timmins) will be close on their heels.

In the men’s sprints, 2025 European and World Indoor Champion Jeremiah Azu (Cardiff; Helen James) is set to bring top‑tier speed to the 60m. He will be up against fellow European medallist, Andrew Robertson (Alex O’Gorman, Sale Harriers). Also one to look out for is Romell Glave (Croydon Harriers; Michael Afilaka), who tops the UK rankings to date as he set a new personal best of 6.51 earlier this season. Jody Smith (Thames Valley Harriers) ran a fast 6.57 at the start of the year, with all four athletes running the world indoor qualifying standard.

Amber Anning (Brighton & Hove; Chris Johnson) kicked off her 2026 in style over in the USA last week, running a world lead of 50.51 in the women’s 400m. The current world indoor champion will face strong competition from European U23 silver medallist Yemi Mary John (Woodford Green Essex Ladies; Alan James) as they both bid for the top spot on the podium.

One of the most anticipated races of the Championships will be the women’s 800m, where Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson (Leigh; Trevor Painter) is expected to face in‑form Issy Boffey (Enfield and Haringey; Luke Gunn).

Boffey arrives in Birmingham after delivering one of the standout performances of the 2026 indoor season so far: a 1:57.43 personal best in Boston, elevating her to the second‑fastest British woman indoors in history—behind only Hodgkinson’s national record. Her breakthrough run has placed her firmly among the leading contenders heading into the Championships.

Georgia Hunter Bell (Belgrave Harriers; Trevor Painter) goes in the 1500m after running a world lead as her season opener of 4:00.04. Revee Walcott-Nolan (Luton; Thomas Dreissigacker) will look to challenge the Tokyo 800m world silver medallist after edging her out of the podium at last year’s European Indoor Championships when she claimed the bronze medal. Jemma Reekie (Kilbarchan; Jon Bigg) and Katie Snowden (Herne Hill Harriers) will also be aiming to be on the podium, one not to be missed!

In the para sprints, Novuna GB & NI teammates Thomas Young (Charnwood; Joe McDonnell) and Zac Shaw (Cleethorpes; Leon Baptiste) will go head-to-head in the men’s 60m sprints with Sophie Hahn (Charnwood; Joe McDonnell) and Maddie Down (Halesowen; Mike Bennett) in the women’s 60m.

In the men’s 400m, Brodie Young (Airdrie Harriers; James McMenemy) is full of confidence after running the World indoor qualifying time, whilst hurdles specialist Jake Minshull (Coventry; James Wright) will be up for the challenge after running close to his personal best and sitting second in the 2026 rankings to date.

One to keep an eye on is Alex Haydock Wilson (Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow; Dai Greene), who usually competes in the 400m but has stepped down to the 60m for these champs.

There will be a new champion crowned in the men’s 800m featuring an in-form Ben Pattison (Basingstoke & Mid Hants; Dave Ragan), who has run the world indoor qualifying time at the Mellrose Games in New York. Watch out for World U20 bronze medallist Ethan Hussey (Leeds; Trevor Painter), who has his eyes firmly on running the World indoor standard, given that his personal best sits under the time.

In the women’s 3000m race, Hannah Nuttall (Charnwood; Helen Clitheroe) will be aiming to retain her title, as Innes Fitzgerald (Exeter Harriers; Gavin Pavey) finished 3rd last year, but coming off the back of her success at the European Cross Country Championships, the 3-time junior champion could be a challenger.

In the field events, we welcome Molly Caudery (Thames Valley; Scott Simpson) in the women’s pole vault, coming back from sustaining an injury at the Tokyo World Championships. In the women’s long jump, 2025 British Champion, Alice Hopkins (Harrow AC; Linford Christie), is back and currently leads this season with the furthest jump of 6.42, whilst Georgina Forde-Wells (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies; Lukasz Zawila) is in form, jumping to a new personal best of 6.34 at the start of this year.

Sophie McKinna (Great Yarmouth; Greg Beard) is back after a period away battling injury. The multiple indoor shot-put champion will compete alongside World Para Champion and world record holder Sabrina Fortune (Deeside AAC; Ryan Spencer-Jones), who is shooting for the stars for the Commonwealth Games qualification distance.

Scott Lincoln (City of York; Dale Stevenson), the 20-time British shot put Champion, is back from his Australia training base and ready to challenge for the title once again.

With the World Athletics Indoor Championships on the horizon, athletes will be competing not only for national titles but also for a spot on the Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland team. The Birmingham crowd once again will deliver an electric atmosphere. There is still time to be a part of it; you can purchase your ticket here or via the link below.

If you can’t join us in Birmingham, then you can catch all the action across the BBC Sport website and iPlayer over the weekend.