The European Athletics Championships in 2028 will feature a prize fund of around £3 million, to be awarded to athletes competing in Silesia, Poland. This marks a significant change from previous years, as athletes finishing in the top eight positions across all 50 events will now receive financial rewards. Gold medalists will be given 30,000 euros (£25,720), while silver and bronze winners will receive 15,000 euros (£12,860) and 10,000 euros (£8,573), respectively. Those finishing fourth through eighth will be awarded decreasing amounts: 5,000, 4,000, 3,000, 2,000, and 1,000 euros. This new structure, introduced by European Athletics, ensures that athletes who finish in the top eight of every discipline receive some form of financial recognition. Previously, the 2023 European Championships in Birmingham had a different system, where a total of 500,000 euros (£428,000) was split equally among the top 10 performances in 10 categories—five for men and five for women—based on World Athletics scoring tables. Great Britain and Northern Ireland won 19 medals in Birmingham, including nine golds, but none of those athletes received the 50,000 euro 'Gold Crown' bonus offered by the event organizers. The increase in prize money for the European Championships reflects a broader trend in athletics, where elite athletes are earning more from competitions. World Athletics recently announced what it called the "richest prize pot in the history of the sport" for its new Ultimate Championship in Budapest, offering $10 million (£7.4 million) for winners of individual events. Each champion received $150,000 (£110,000), highlighting the growing financial stakes in the sport. With multiple major events on the horizon—including another Ultimate Championship in 2028, the Los Angeles Olympics, and the Diamond League season—the European Championships, set for early June 2028, will need to offer strong incentives to attract top athletes. European Athletics emphasized that its revised prize structure ensures all disciplines are treated equally and that athletes reaching the top eight receive due recognition. Christian Milz, the governing body’s chief executive, said the decision reflects a commitment to athletes, who are "at the heart of our sport." He added that the record prize fund is a significant step toward recognizing and supporting European athletes, who continue to deliver extraordinary performances that captivate global audiences.