World Athletics has introduced a groundbreaking event to the athletics calendar: the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
The inaugural event will take place over three exhilarating evenings from September 11-13, 2026, at the Budapest National Athletics Centre in Hungary.
This innovative event will feature 28 events across 16 disciplines, including marquee clashes in the 100m, pole vault and new 4x100m mixed relay. Almost 400 athletes will battle it out over three nights to become ultimate champions. Athletes will compete for a share of the US$10 million prize pot, with $150,000 awarded to the champions in each event.
Scheduled to occur biennially, the World Athletics Ultimate Championship will fill the gap in years without a World Championship.
Its condensed, television-friendly format is designed to deliver an electrifying spectacle for both in-stadium spectators and global audiences. Each session will be under three hours long, ensuring non-stop action as the world’s elite athletes compete head-to-head, donning their national team kits.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described the event as a “game-changer” for the sport.
“This new global event will be a game-changer for our sport and for our athletes. 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,” said Coe.
World Athletics Ultimate Championship disciplines:
The competition will span 28 events, combining traditional track and field disciplines with innovative additions.
Track events include the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 100m/110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, and mixed 4x100m and mixed 4x400m relays.
Field events will feature pole vault, high jump, long jump, triple jump (women), hammer throw (men), and javelin throw.
World Athletics has partnered with Tata Communications and HBS as host broadcasters, leveraging their expertise to deliver an innovative and immersive viewing experience.
The agreement builds on a five-year deal covering World Athletics Series events. Infront has been appointed to lead international media rights sales, focusing on free-to-air platforms to maximize global reach and ensure that fans everywhere can experience the excitement.
“Tata Communications is thrilled to partner with World Athletics for the Ultimate Championship, a groundbreaking addition to the global track and field calendar,” said Dhaval Ponda, Tata Communications Vice President and Global Media Head.
HBS CEO Dan Miodownik highlighted the event’s potential for innovation, stating, “It is a real opportunity to help shape the way coverage of athletics evolves over the coming years.”
The Ultimate Championship will return to the Budapest National Athletics Centre, which hosted the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Hungarian Secretary of State for Sports Adam Schmidt celebrated the announcement, noting Budapest’s growing reputation as a global sports hub.
“It is a great honour that after the exhilarating World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, the wonderful National Athletics Centre will once again open its doors for a major international sporting event,” Schmidt said.
World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon emphasized the event’s focus on engaging fans with constant, fast-paced action.
“The Ultimate Championship is also a chance for us to really innovate how we deliver our sport, presenting it in new formats and across different platforms designed to keep the entire venue engaged,” Ridgeon said.
With its innovative format, star-studded athlete lineup, and a prize pool designed to attract the best in the world, the World Athletics Ultimate Championship is poised to redefine how athletics is presented and consumed globally.
The event promises to set a new standard for excitement and fan engagement, ushering in a new era for the sport.
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