World Athletics planning a new competition format for 2026

During a media call on Monday, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe provided more insights into a planned new format scheduled to be added to the international athletics calendar in 2026. The innovative event aims to maintain the sport’s momentum by showcasing the “best of the best” in athletics during non-Olympic and non-world-championship years.

Coe highlighted the significance of this new format, stating, “Although 2026 is often referred to as a ‘fallow year’ due to the absence of World Championships or Olympics, the new event aims to offer a fresh and different experience for fans and athletes alike.” The ultimate goal for World Athletics is to incorporate this format into the four-year cycle of athletics competitions.

While the exact format is still being fine-tuned and potential hosts considered, the primary focus is to deliver two or three nights of high-quality athletics, featuring the world’s best athletes. The intention is to have smaller fields and no heats or cross-heats, creating an action-packed spectacle specifically designed for television viewers. “We haven’t entirely agreed on the format, and we are still working with potential hosts here, so there’s more to come,” Coe added.

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It is speculated that the new format may draw parallels to the existing Diamond League Final, which invites top athletes from each Diamond League meet to compete in a two-day championship event.

Coe has served as the World Athletics President since 2015 and is set to stand unopposed for a third term at the upcoming World Athletics Congress in Budapest on Aug. 17, ahead of the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Regarding potential investment from countries like Saudi Arabia to enhance the sport’s growth, Coe emphasized the organization is taking a cautious approach, stating, “My default position is that investment from any country or sector looking to enter our sport would be looked at very carefully.” He also pointed out that the executive board has previously declined investments from certain sectors and countries, indicating that any potential investment would undergo thorough evaluation before being accepted.

As athletics enthusiasts eagerly await further details on this new format, the prospect of witnessing a condensed showcase of top-tier athletes and exhilarating performances in 2026 promises to be a game-changer for the sport.