World Athletics has created a new world championship currently dubbed the World Athletics Ultimate Championships starting in 2026 and to run every other year. The meeting will be short, just three days. The best of the best athletes from around the world will compete in a pressure-packed semi or straight-to-finals event for a $10-million prize purse.

After a successful 2023 World Athletics Championships, Budapest has been chosen to host the inaugural meet in September 2026.

The press release from World Athletics indicated that the best Olympians, World Champions, Diamond League and select others make up a total of 400 athletes to compete. Gold medallists from this meet will earn $150,000 each.

“With only the best of the best on 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,” said World Athletics President Seb Coe. “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.”

“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,” said World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon. “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.”

“Budapest is truly honoured to be the inaugural host city for the highly innovative World Athletics Ultimate Championship. Having successfully hosted the 2023 World Athletics Championships, recent World Aquatics Championships, major UEFA events and many more, Budapest is ready to deliver again,” said Balázs Furjes, IOC member for Hungary and previous co-leader of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 organizing committee. “Budapest is truly one of global sport’s capital cities and 2026 will be a very special year as we host the UEFA Champions League final in the new Puskás Arena and then later that summer the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in the brand new National Athletics Centre. Staging the Ultimate Championship will be a great chance to prove it again, in front of passionate, sport-loving fans, to celebrate athletes from all over the world. Because we just love sport and hosting the world.”

“After the success of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, Hungary started discussions with World Athletics about how could we remain active participants in the international field, adding value to the universal family of athletics. Hosting the inaugural edition of the Ultimate Championship is an excellent occasion to keep the pace and together with President Coe we have even more plans to deliver,” said Adam Schmidt, the State Secretary of Sports in Hungary. “These partnerships have a very positive impact on our national sport curriculum and Hungary is always happy to welcome the world in our magnificent capital city, Budapest.”