World Athletics plans to launch a new global championship that will be offering the highest prize money in the history of track and field.
World Athletics has announced the launch of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, a new global championship event, set to define the creme de la creme of track and field.
The event will be out to pit world champions, Olympic champions, Diamond League winners and the year’s best performing athletes against each other and at the end of the day, crown the ultimate champion.
The event will also include a prize money purse of US$10 million (about Ksh1.3 billion), the largest ever offered in the history of track & field. The gold medallists in the event will walk away with US$150,000 (about Ksh19.5 million).
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The event will be first held every two years, with the inaugural edition slated from September 11 to 13, 2026. The first edition of the event will be staged in Hungarian capital of Budapest which hosted the 2023 World Championships.
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The event will feature a thrilling and fast-moving new format for athletics and it will take place over three evening sessions, each under three hours in duration. The Ultimate Championship will also include 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 also benefit from greater promotional rights, allowing them to commercially activate and enhance their profiles.
“With only the best of the best on the show and cutting straight to semi-finals and finals, we will create immediate pressure to perform for athletes aiming to claim the title of the ultimate champion," World Athletics President Seb Coe said.
“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."
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Speaking at the same time, World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon said: “By embracing innovation and breaking away from traditional models, we are looking to reach a broader audience, particularly younger fans, and elevate the entire sport.
“There will be a strong focus on television audiences, with an aim to reach the biggest global audience possible.
“We also want to enhance the viewing experience, both at home and in the stadium, so we are looking at what new competition innovations can be introduced, all of which will be thoroughly tested in advance. We truly believe this will be a game changer for our entire sport.”
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World Athletics also noted that there are ongoing consultations with stakeholders, including athletes and their representatives, coaches, shoe companies, broadcast organisations, Member Federations and many others.