- World Athletics announced a new biennial global championship event starting in 2026.
- The inaugural edition will be held in Budapest, Hungary from September 11-13, 2026.
- The competition will feature a total prize pot of US$10 million, the largest ever in track and field history.
- Gold medalists will receive US$150,000 each, setting a new benchmark for financial rewards in athletics.
Newsypeople- World Athletics has announced a groundbreaking new global championship, the Ultimate Championship, which will debut in 2026.
This event will feature the largest prize fund in the sport’s history, with a total of $10 million set aside for the competitors. The championship will be held every two years, with the inaugural event scheduled for September 11-13, 2026, in Budapest.
The Ultimate Championship will bring together the world’s top athletes, including Olympic champions, world champions, Diamond League winners, and the year’s leading athletes. The event will consist of three evening sessions, featuring a diverse range of events such as sprints, middle and long-distance races, relays, jumps, and throws.
Gold medalists in the Ultimate Championship will receive a record-breaking $150,000 each, a significant increase from the $50,000 awarded to gold medalists at the Paris Olympics.
The championship aims to create an immediate pressure to perform for athletes, with a streamlined competition format that includes only semi-finals and finals.
🚨 World Athletics announces a new global championship to conclude the 2026 track and field season!
— nnis (@nnis_sports) June 3, 2024
🏅 Prize pot of $10M, with GOLD medalists earning $150K – the highest in modern athletics history!
➖A convergence of champions from World, Olympic & Diamond League levels.
📅… pic.twitter.com/qxSZpkALwZ
World Athletics President, Lord Coe, expressed his excitement about the new championship, stating that it will serve as the ultimate season finale and an electrifying, swift-paced new format for athletics. The event is poised to become a must-watch global sports event, ensuring maximum audience reach for the sport.
The Ultimate Championship is a significant departure from traditional track and field events, offering athletes greater promotional rights to commercially promote their brands.
This privilege is not available during the Olympics due to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) protection of its sponsors. The event’s focus on elite athletes and streamlined competition format is expected to create an intense and thrilling experience for fans.
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