[1][2] The event was first held in 1935, following the construction of an adequate venue in Wembley Arena in London for the 1934 British Empire Games.

The first iteration of the competition lasted for five editions and featured around nine men's indoor track and field events and six for women.

[3] The event ceased in 2006, being replaced by the UK Athletics-organised British Indoor Athletics Championships.

It served as the de facto British Championships, given the absence of such a competition during its history.

Racewalking briefly featured on the programme, with a men's and women's 3000 metres track walk happening from 1997 to 2002.