World Athletics announce Ultimate Championship in 2026 with a prize pot of $10,000,000

World Athletics announce Ultimate Championship in 2026 with a prize pot of $10,000,000

Funmilayo Fameso 14:44 - 03.06.2024

The athletics governing body have announced the biggest prize money in track and field history.

The World Athletics body have announced a new championship set to begin in 2026, and the prize pot is a mouth-watering $10,000,000.

According to the press release by World Athletics, the championship is set to redefine the athletics calendar and crown the ultimate best athlete.

"A groundbreaking new global championship event set to transform the athletics calendar and define which athlete is the best of the best – pitting world champions, Olympic champions, the Wanda Diamond League winners, and the year’s best-performing athletes against each other, to crown the ultimate champion.

"Highlighting this revolutionary competition is a record-setting prize pot of US$10 million, the largest ever offered in the history of track & field athletics – with gold medallists set to receive US$150,000. This innovative event, debuting 11-13 September 2026 and set to be held every two years, will first be hosted in Hungary’s capital city of Budapest, promising a spectacular conclusion to the summer athletics season.

"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."

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