Things are about to get gnarly in Wolverhampton. For the very first time, the city will host the major urban sports international tournament later this month, Urban Sports FISE Xperience. The three-day event – featuring BMX, freestyle scooter, breaking and a host of workshops and activities for all – will take over Old Market Square.
The best part? It’s free for the public to attend. Head down from 9am to 7pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10am and 6pm on Sunday. Taking place September 13 to 15, it forms part of the City of Wolverhampton Council’s five-year events strategy. Urban Sports FISE Xperience is expected to attract up to 15,000 visitors to the area with a massive boost to the local economy – bringing in £627,000.
This is the first time the event has been held outside of France and marks the last stop on the series tour for 2024. It’s only been made possible thanks to the council securing £390,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority’s and HM Government’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund.
“This is a huge shot in the arm for our exciting 5-year events strategy, helping to secure the city’s status and reputation regionally, nationally and internationally as a destination of choice for visitors,” said Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Visitor City. “The Urban Sports event will further boost footfall, increase economic and social benefit and help transform the reputation of the city.”
Securing Urban Sports FISE Xperience only builds on a £22 million package of investment in the city centre, and follows extensive public realm improvement works to the Victoria Street and North Street areas. It’s not only ever coming to Wolverhampton either, with the West Midlands city hosting the Kabaddi World Cup Finals in 2025.
“Wolverhampton is an ambitious city with a can-do attitude,” said Maggie Grogan, Managing Director for Muse Midlands. “City Centre West sits at the heart of the council’s vision, and the English Cities Fund is ready to work in partnership to deliver.
“The opportunity to create new homes, jobs, and public spaces through regeneration is clear and a significant international event like this gives us further encouragement to embed outdoor events spaces as part of our future development plans for the benefit of all communities.”
Don’t worry, Birmingham has plenty of sporting history to look forward to too. First up, there’s the European Athletics Championships in 2026, followed by Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in 2027.