After the success of sporting events such as 2014's Commonwealth Games and 2018's European Championships in Glasgow, the countdown is on as the Emirates Arena is set to host the 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships in 50 days' time.

Promising hundreds of the continent's top athletes in one place, the competition this March will see around 600 athletes from 50 nations take to the track in the east end.

Kicking off on March 1, the event will see over 5,000 spectators pack into the arena to cheer on some of Scotland's best athletes.

A bi-annual event, Glasgow-based runner Laura Muir, an ambassador for the competition, is a double-gold medallist at the last championships in 2017 and will be one of the star names taking to the track.

Laura says the championships are a great opportunity for those who may be new to athletics to experience first hand how exciting the sport can be.

She added: "I am really excited, it's a track that I train on a lot and I've been fortunate enough to have competed here a couple of times.

"I love racing in this stadium you get a really great atmosphere and to have a competition on home turf is a fantastic opportunity for me and I want to bring out my best for the crowd here.

"I think the indoor track is the best I've competed on. It's very fast and it feels natural to run in here.

"That will make it exciting for fans. There's an opportunity to post quick times and I'm hoping to make the most of the opportunity.

"Indoors is a fantastic way to start of watching athletics, it's so close and the atmosphere is great, being indoors you get that volume that you can't get outdoors.

"To see so much is brilliant and it's a big championships, so you'll see world class performances in front of you and be close to the action."

Despite being an ambassador for the games, Laura herself still has to qualify for the event during trials next month.

But the middle-distance runner has high hopes for what she can achieve in March, despite being undecided over which events to enter.

She added: "For indoors I'm often based in Britain for the weeks prior to it, but it'll be nice to literally be 10 minutes along the road and not worrying about travelling or getting used to where to run, or even what the food is like.

"We've not made our mind up on which events I'll be running but if people come down on Friday night they'll definitely see me there.

"This is the first championship for me to be defending champion. Home crowd, home track and defending champion - I'll probably be the one to beat.

"To come back her and win gold here, I'd be delighted.

For sports fans, the championships offers an opportunity to see top-level sport right on their doorstep.

But alongside those living here, there is set to be crowds coming from all across the continent to watch the event.

According to organisers, the benefit to the city's economy from tourism numbers, as well as the prestige of hosting such an event, are all good for Glasgow.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s director of events, said: “The excitement is building for what promises to be another great major sporting event for Glasgow and Scotland.

"Events play a key role in our visitor economy and this is part of an amazing portfolio of international sporting events taking place across the country this year.

"I look forward to welcoming everyone to Emirates Arena in 50 days’ time and showing why Scotland is the perfect stage for events.”

This is a feeling echoed by those in charge of bringing the event to the city, with the championships showing another opportunity to show off what Glasgow has to offer.

Billy Garrett, Glasgow Life's director of sport and events and co-chair of the Glasgow 2019 Steering Committee, said: “European Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 2019 is set to be one of Scotland’s best sporting events with a world class venue, packed out crowds and an electric atmosphere, added to that will be some of Europe’s best athletes fiercely competing to win medals. To have such fantastic events here in Glasgow, as we continue to build our reputation as a top five sporting city globally, and I’ve no doubt Glasgow 2019 will play a key role in contributing towards that.”