WITH just twenty four days to go before around one million people get the chance to experience the inaugural European Championships, Glasgow is getting ready to welcome them all in style.

Banners have been going up across the city in preparation for the staging of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships to make sure more than 8,500 athletes, officials and media feel welcome at what is a new event on the world’s sporting calendar.

A mixture of Bonnie the Seal banners, with the cheeky mascot sporting a kilt in the City of Glasgow tartan, and vibrant colours to represent all of the sports taking part can now be seen on many of the main routes around the city, including Buchanan Street and the Broomielaw.

George Square is also dressed for the occasion as preparations continue to create a vibrant live site as the centre piece of Festival 2018. The beating heart of the Championships will host an amazing programme of free and ticketed events, kicking off with The Great Big Opening Party on Wednesday, August 1.

And with a fantastic new window display, the iconic Riverside Museum is all dressed and ready to be the proud starting post for the Time Trial cycling event.

Glasgow 2018 Championships director, Colin Hartley. said: “We’re out and about right now dressing the city for one of the biggest sporting events Scotland has ever seen. Glasgow is really coming alive as we drape it in colour and prepare to offer a truly exceptional welcome to athletes, sports fans and the world’s media.”

The look and feel of the Glasgow 2018 brand is bold, exciting and colourful and all materials carry the striking ‘crystal shard’ logo which represents the seven sports of the Championships – aquatics, cycling, golf, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon which take place in Glasgow and athletics which takes place in Berlin.

Athletes at Glasgow 2018 will compete for medals in more than 150 events at venues across Scotland.

Additional tickets have just been released due to popular demand. For more information on the events available and how to book your place, visit glasgow2018.com/tickets.