World Athletics announced the events that will participate in the World Athletics Ultimate Championship debuting in Budapest on September 11–13, 2026.

“This new global event will be a game-changer for our sport and for our athletes,” World Athletics president Seb Coe said in a statement. “We want to bring our fans athletics like they have never seen it before – with the best of the best athletes in our sport competing head-to-head in a passion-fuelled, high-octane, festival of sport, with sound, light and innovation.”

What’s New

– World Athletics plans to feature 28 events across three action-packed evenings, including 26 individual disciplines (16 track/10 field) and two relays (mixed 4x100m and the debut of the mixed 4x400m).

– Sessions will last under three hours, with athletes competing in national kits, representing themselves and their countries.

– Athletes will vie for a record $10 million prize pool, with winners earning $150,000 each.

– Budapest’s National Athletics Centre, the home of the 2023 World Athletics Championships, will welcome almost 400 athletes from 70 countries. Athletes will qualify based on world rankings, with no cap on participants from individual countries.

Which Events Are Included:

• 100m

• Pole vault

• 200m

• High jump

• 400m

• Long jump

• 800m

• Triple jump (W)

• 1500m

• Hammer (M)

• 5000m

• Javelin

• 100m/110m hurdles

• Mixed 4x100m

• 400m hurdles

• Mixed 4x400m

Which Events Are Not Included:

• Triple jump (M)

• Hammer (W)

• Shot put

• Discus

• 10,000m

• 3000m steeplechase

• Men’s and women’s 4x100m

• Men’s and women’s 4x400m

What The Athletes Had To Say:

Mondo Duplantis (via press release): “Nothing beats competing in front of a live crowd. Anyone that knows me or has watched me compete knows this is where I thrive. The new Ultimate Championship in 2026 will be the ultimate high in a year when we do not have a World Championships or Olympic Games. Even with fewer events there will still be 26 individual events taking place over just three nights - the pace will be insane. It will be time to fly, so strap in and tune in.”

Gabby Thomas (via press release) : “Competing against the best in the world is always a privilege. This new event in 2026 will be incredible and will give the best athletes an opportunity to compete in a major championship in a non-Olympic or World Championships year. It’s great to have an event in 2026 that will give us championship focus, and the World Athletics Ultimate Championship does that. I remember the amazing crowds in Budapest at the 2023 World Championships, so can’t wait to run for gold in 2026.”

Where This Fits In The Calendar

The 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championships fills the void of what would’ve been the first “off-year” since the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the Tokyo Olympics to 2021. With its addition, there is now a track championship set through the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

• 2025 World Athletics Championships – Tokyo
• 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championships – Budapest
• 2027 World Athletics Championships – Beijing
• 2028 Olympics – Los Angeles
• 2029 Word Athletics Championships – TBA