World Athletics has announced a new global championship starting in 2026, featuring the largest prize fund in the sport’s history.
The World Athletics Ultimate Championship will bring together world champions, Olympic champions, Diamond League winners, and the year’s top athletes, representing their national teams.
With a $10 million (£7.87 million) prize fund, gold medallists will receive $150,000 (£118,000). The competition, spanning three evening sessions, will include sprints, middle and long-distance races, relays, jumps, and throws.
World Athletics describes it as “the ultimate season finale,” offering a “thrilling and fast-moving new format for athletics.” The inaugural event will be held in Budapest from 11-13 September 2026, with subsequent championships occurring every two years in various host cities.
World Athletics president, Lord Coe emphasized the championship’s unique format: “With only the best of the best on the show and cutting straight to semi-finals and finals, we will create an immediate pressure to perform for athletes. The World Athletics Ultimate Championship will be high on action and excitement for fans, setting a new standard for track and field events.”
Featuring the sport’s biggest stars, the championship aims to become a must-watch global event, ensuring maximum audience reach for athletics annually.
