World Athletics Unveils $10M Ultimate Championship in Budapest

World Athletics launched its inaugural Ultimate Championship in Budapest from September 11 to 13, 2026, introducing a new format for track and field. This three-day event features a record prize fund of $10 million, with individual champions earning $150,000 and runners-up receiving $75,000.

The competition aims to address the challenge of sustaining interest in athletics during years without Olympic Games or World Championships. World Athletics president Sebastian Coe described the event as an opportunity to experiment with a new model for the sport.

The Ultimate Championship includes 381 athletes from 65 federations and features 28 disciplines across three evenings. The event is structured around three-hour sessions, focusing on decisive action rather than traditional heats and finals spread over a longer period.

The format includes 28 finals, with semi-finals for the 800m and shorter track events, aiming to create a global showcase for athletics.