World Athletics launches new lucrative global championship event

International governing body World Athletics has officially launched a new global championship event set to debut in 2026.

The World Athletics Ultimate Championship, a ‘revolutionary competition’ scheduled to take place once in every two years, is primed to transform the athletics calendar by bringing world champions, Diamond League winners, Olympic champions, and the year’s best performing athletes against each other, and in search of the ultimate champion.

Designed as the ultimate season finale with an aim to captivate millions of television viewers worldwide, the global championship event will feature a thrilling and fast-moving new format for athletics.

Taking place over three evening sessions, each under three hours in duration, the Ultimate Championship will showcase the best of athletics, including sprints, middle and long-distance races, relays, jumps, and throws, ensuring a spectacle that both existing and new fans will not want to miss.

Athletes will represent their national teams to ensure that individual success is underpinned by national pride.

The first edition will be hosted in Hungary’s capital of Budapest - hosts of arguably the most successful World Athletics Championships in history in 2023 - and will run from 11-13 September.

Setting a new benchmark for financial rewards in the sport, the World Athletics Ultimate Championship will also feature a lucrative total prize pot of US$10 million (Ksh. 1.3 Bn), underscoring World Athletics' commitment to pay its athletes more, while providing them with additional earning opportunities.

Ultimate champions in their respective fields are set to receive US$150,000 each (Ksh. 19.6 Million).

World Athletics to award Olympic champions

World Athletics President Seb Coe said: “With only the best of the best on show and cutting straight to semi finals and finals, we will create an immediate pressure to perform for athletes aiming to claim the title of the ultimate champion.

“The World Athletics Ultimate Championship will be high on action and excitement for fans, setting a new standard for track and field events. Featuring athletics’ biggest stars, it will be a must-watch global sports event and means track and field will host a major global championship in every single year, ensuring for the first time that athletics will enjoy a moment of maximum audience reach on an annual basis.”

As World Athletics continues to prepare for this exciting new championship event, consultation with stakeholders – including athletes and their representatives, coaches, shoe companies, broadcast organizations, Member Federations and many others – will continue throughout the summer before a full event launch this coming Autumn.

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