Olympics comes to Bullring and Grand Central

Whether you’re an Adam Peaty fanatic or obsessed with Dina Asher-Smith, pulses are racing this summer as Bullring & Grand Central brings the world’s biggest sporting stars together for FANSTAND, a 10-week long big screen sporting showcase.

For the first time, Bullring has become both an Official Team GB and ParalympicsGB Fanzone, enabling visitors to watch the greatest show on earth – the Olympic and Paralympic Games – on large screens run by Ocean Outdoor.

Set against the backdrop of the historic St Martin’s Square, the Fanzones are complemented by a tasty new FANSTAND Bar serving delicious Pimm’s, cocktails and ice-cold beer.

The runway leading up to the FANSTAND bar and television screen has been animated by a colourful five lane racetrack, set to inspire any budding sprinter.

Brummies will also be able to sit on comfortable branded deck chairs and cool off with colourful fans, all available for free (while stocks last).

FANSTAND forms part of Hammerson’s strategy to evolve its destinations by broadening their use and purpose.

The introduction of art, culture and sport has supported Bullring’s repositioning from a place where people come only to shop to a multi-use destination that offers live music, entertainment, leisure and social uses.

This includes a pop-up gig by Dizzee Rascal, B-Side Hip Hop News Release Festival, Birmingham Weekender, the recent Tech Makeover and Late Night Out, which transformed Bullring into a late-night entertainment venue.

Kate Gwyther, group head of Commercialisation at Hammerson, said: “There are few activities which connect communities and bring people together like sport, and as we evolve and future-proof our destinations, we will continue to celebrate and tap into our customer’s interests.

“As we work to get this right, it drives footfall, engages new audiences and ultimately attracts new and innovative brands. We’re shifting the perception and purpose of our destinations, and FANSTAND will bring this vision to life.”

In parallel to an exciting series of summer events and activations, a focus on introducing new brands, concepts and market firsts, which engage and excite customers, has seen the addition of entertainment and leisure brands, TOCA Social, Lane7 and Sandbox VR, international brands including a significantly upsized Zara, Pull&Bear and Bershka, a new food-led M&S and the recently announced beauty brand Sephora.

Bullring’s FANSTAND programme:

• Olympics: Fri 26 Jul – Sun 11 Aug

• Paralympics: Wed 28 Aug – Sun 8 Sep