Budapest is ready to welcome the biggest names in track and field as the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship gets underway from September 11 to 13, 2026.
The world’s elite athletes will gather in Budapest, Hungary, this week for the first edition of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship 2026.
The three-day competition will be staged at the Gyula Zsivótzky National Athletics Centre, bringing together leading stars from sprinting, hurdles, middle-distance and long-distance running, jumping and throwing disciplines.
A total of 26 individual competitions are scheduled, split equally between the men’s and women’s programmes, along with two mixed relay races.
Rather than awarding conventional championship medals, the winners of the individual events will be presented with trophies and earn the prestigious title of Ultimate Champion.
How the Athletes Qualified
The Ultimate Championship has assembled its field using several qualification routes.
Reigning Olympic, World and Diamond League champions were among those given automatic places. Other competitors secured invitations through the World Athletics ranking system, while a limited number of athletes received special invitations.
The result is a field packed with Olympic champions, world champions, record holders and some of the fastest athletes competing internationally.
Men’s Events and Athletes
Men’s 100m
The men’s 100m features an impressive lineup including Christian Coleman, Trayvon Bromell, Akani Simbine, Letsile Tebogo and Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs.
Participants:
- Oblique Seville (JAM)
- Emmanuel Eseme (CMR)
- Kayinsola Ajayi (NGR)
- Lachlan Kennedy (AUS)
- Ronal Longa (COL)
- Kenneth Bednarek (USA)
- Ronnie Baker (USA)
- Christian Coleman (USA)
- Trayvon Bromell (USA)
- Gift Leotlela (RSA)
- Akani Simbine (RSA)
- Ackeem Blake (JAM)
- Letsile Tebogo (BOT)
- Lamont Marcell Jacobs (ITA)
- Romell Glave (GBR)
- Jeremiah Azu (GBR)
Men’s 200m
The 200m field includes Kenneth Bednarek and Letsile Tebogo, alongside established stars such as Andre De Grasse and Aaron Brown.
Participants:
- Kenneth Bednarek (USA)
- Sinesipho Dambile (RSA)
- José Figueroa (PUR)
- Letsile Tebogo (BOT)
- Andre De Grasse (CAN)
- Makanakaishe Charamba (ZIM)
- Yassine Hssine (MAR)
- Brandon Hicklin (USA)
- Bryan Levell (JAM)
- Alexander Ogando (DOM)
- Aaron Brown (CAN)
- Courtney Lindsey (USA)
- Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike (NGR)
- Timothé Mumenthaler (SUI)
- Christopher Taylor (JAM)
- Kyree King (USA)
Men’s 400m
Rai Benjamin and Matthew Hudson-Smith headline a strong 400m field that also includes Muzala Samukonga and Jereem Richards.
Participants:
- Busang Collen Kebinatshipi (BOT)
- Jereem Richards (TTO)
- Jacory Patterson (USA)
- Rai Benjamin (USA)
- Zakithi Nene (RSA)
- Chris Bailey (USA)
- Muzala Samukonga (ZAM)
- Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR)
- Christopher Morales-Williams (CAN)
- Muhammad Abdallah Kounta (FRA)
- Khaleb McRae (USA)
- Jonas Phijffers (NED)
- Attila Molnár (HUN)
- Lee Eppie (BOT)
- Bayapo Ndori (BOT)
- Nakajima Yuki Joseph (JPN)
- Patrik Simon Enyingi (HUN)
Men’s 800m
The men’s 800m will feature Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Djamel Sedjati, Marco Arop and several other leading middle-distance runners.
Participants:
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN)
- Djamel Sedjati (ALG)
- Marco Arop (CAN)
- Brandon Miller (USA)
- Yanis Meziane (FRA)
- Mark English (IRL)
- Max Burgin (GBR)
- Ben Pattison (GBR)
- Francesco Pernici (ITA)
- Navasky Anderson (JAM)
- Gabriel Tual (FRA)
- Mohamed Attaoui (ESP)
- Eliott Crestan (BEL)
- Handal Roban (VIN)
- Donavan Brazier (USA)
- Marino Bloudek (CRO)
Men’s 1500m
The 1500m promises a fascinating battle with Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Josh Kerr, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse and Timothy Cheruiyot among the leading names.
Participants:
- Josh Kerr (GBR)
- Cameron Myers (AUS)
- Yared Nuguse (USA)
- Azeddine Habz (FRA)
- Jake Wightman (GBR)
- Robert Farken (GER)
- Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech (KEN)
- Isaac Nader (POR)
- Ethan Strand (USA)
- Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR)
- Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN)
- Hobbs Kessler (USA)
- Cole Hocker (USA)
Men’s 5000m
Participants:
- Egide Ntakarutimana (BDI)
- Cornelius Kemboi (KEN)
- Addisu Yihune (ETH)
- Biniam Mehary (ETH)
- Graham Blanks (USA)
- Nico Young (USA)
- Parker Wolfe (USA)
- Grant Fisher (USA)
- Ky Robinson (AUS)
- Jacob Krop (KEN)
- Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR)
- Cole Hocker (USA)
Men’s 110m Hurdles
Participants:
- Ja’Kobe Tharp (USA)
- Jamal Britt (USA)
- Trey Cunningham (USA)
- Cordell Tinch (USA)
- Izumiya Shunsuke (JPN)
- Bradley Franklin (USA)
- Demario Prince (JAM)
- Jamar Marshall (USA)
- Muratake Rachid (JPN)
- Jason Joseph (SUI)
- Orlando Bennett (JAM)
- Just Kwaou-Mathey (FRA)
- Abe Tatsuki (JPN)
- Jakub Szymański (POL)
- Tyler Mason (JAM)
- Enrique Llopis (ESP)
Men’s 400m Hurdles
Rai Benjamin, Karsten Warholm and Alison Dos Santos lead the field in one of the most anticipated men’s events.
Participants:
- Alison Dos Santos (BRA)
- Karsten Warholm (NOR)
- Rai Benjamin (USA)
- Matheus Lima (BRA)
- Ezekiel Nathaniel (NGR)
- Trevor Bassitt (USA)
- Caleb Dean (USA)
- Emil Agyekum (GER)
- Bassem Hemeida (QAT)
- Abderrahman Samba (QAT)
- Yeral Nuñez (DOM)
- Matic Ian Guček (SLO)
- Oskar Edlund (SWE)
- Owe Fischer-Breiholz (GER)
- İsmail Nezir (TUR)
- Kemorena Tisang (BOT)
Men’s High Jump
- JuVaughn Harrison (USA)
- Oleh Doroshchuk (UKR)
- Gianmarco Tamberi (ITA)
- Jan Štefela (CZE)
- Romaine Beckford (JAM)
- Erick Portillo (MEX)
- Mateusz Kołodziejski (POL)
- Tyus Wilson (USA)
Men’s Pole Vault
Armand Duplantis will be the headline name in the men’s pole vault, with Emmanouil Karalis and Sam Kendricks also in the field.
- Armand Duplantis (SWE)
- Emmanouil Karalis (GRE)
- Sondre Guttormsen (NOR)
- Zachery Bradford (USA)
- Kurtis Marschall (AUS)
- Sam Kendricks (USA)
- Baptiste Thiery (FRA)
- Christopher Nilsen (USA)
Men’s Long Jump
- Miltiadis Tentoglou (GRE)
- Simon Ehammer (SUI)
- Bozhidar Sarâboyukov (BUL)
- Tajay Gayle (JAM)
- Gerson Baldé (POR)
- Anvar Anvarov (UZB)
- Zhang Mingkun (CHN)
- Luka Bošković (SRB)
Men’s Hammer Throw
- Bence Halász (HUN)
- Ethan Katzberg (CAN)
- Yann Chassinand (FRA)
- Mykhaylo Kokhan (UKR)
- Paweł Fajdek (POL)
- Merlin Hummel (GER)
- Rudy Winkler (USA)
- Volodymyr Myslyvčuk (CZE)
Men’s Javelin Throw
The men’s javelin competition includes Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, along with Anderson Peters, Julian Weber and Keshorn Walcott.
- Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (SRI)
- Julian Weber (GER)
- Curtis Thompson (USA)
- Dawid Wegner (POL)
- Anderson Peters (GRN)
- Keshorn Walcott (TTO)
- Julius Yego (KEN)
- Arshad Nadeem (PAK)
Women’s Events and Athletes
Women’s 100m
The women’s 100m field features Olympic champion Julien Alfred, Sha’Carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden among the major contenders.
- Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA)
- Julien Alfred (LCA)
- Sha’Carri Richardson (USA)
- Tina Clayton (JAM)
- Sade McCreath (CAN)
- Jonielle Smith (JAM)
- Lavanya Williams (JAM)
- Cambrea Sturgis (USA)
- Zoe Hobbs (NZL)
- Brianna Lyston (JAM)
- Audrey Leduc (CAN)
- Amy Hunt (GBR)
- Jodean Williams (JAM)
- Tamari Davis (USA)
- Patrizia van der Weken (LUX)
- Zaynab Dosso (ITA)
- Boglárka Takács (HUN)
Women’s 200m
- Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA)
- Gabrielle Thomas (USA)
- Kayla White (USA)
- Cambrea Sturgis (USA)
- Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH)
- Amy Hunt (GBR)
- Anavia Battle (USA)
- Rhasidat Adeleke (IRL)
- Jenna Prandini (USA)
- Success Eduan (GBR)
- Lavanya Williams (JAM)
- Ashanti Moore (JAM)
- Fabienne Hoenke (SUI)
- Jaël Bestué (ESP)
- Gémima Joseph (FRA)
- Torrie Lewis (AUS)
- Boglárka Takács (HUN)
Women’s 400m
Marileidy Paulino, Salwa Eid Naser and Lieke Klaver are among the standout names entered for the women’s 400m.
- Marileidy Paulino (DOM)
- Aaliyah Butler (USA)
- Henriette Jæger (NOR)
- Salwa Eid Naser (BRN)
- Nickisha Pryce (JAM)
- Lurdes Gloria Manuel (CZE)
- Ella Onojuvwevwo (NGR)
- Stacey Ann Williams (JAM)
- Natalia Bukowiecka (POL)
- Lieke Klaver (NED)
- Yemi Mary John (GBR)
- Roxana Gómez (CUB)
- Sharlene Mawdsley (IRL)
- Mercy Adongo Oketch (KEN)
- Alexis Holmes (USA)
- Martina Weil (CHI)
Women’s 800m
- Audrey Werro (SUI)
- Keely Hodgkinson (GBR)
- Femke Broeders-Bol (NED)
- Prudence Sekgodiso (RSA)
- Rénelle Lamote (FRA)
- Sarah Billings (AUS)
- Oratile Nowe (BOT)
- Shafiqua Maloney (VIN)
- Eloisa Coiro (ITA)
- Roisin Willis (USA)
- Addison Wiley (USA)
- Raevyn Rogers (USA)
- Nigist Getachew (ETH)
- Valentina Rosamilia (SUI)
- Veronica Vancardo (SUI)
- Halimah Nakaayi (UGA)
Women’s 1500m
- Klaudia Kazimierska (POL)
- Dorcus Ewoi (KEN)
- Jessica Hull (AUS)
- Birke Haylom (ETH)
- Georgia Hunter-Bell (GBR)
- Freweyni Hailu (ETH)
- Abbey Caldwell (AUS)
- Emily Mackay (USA)
- Agathe Guillemot (FRA)
- Nikki Hiltz (USA)
- Haregeweyni Kalayu (ETH)
- Saron Berhe (ETH)
Women’s 5000m
- Likina Amebaw (ETH)
- Aleshign Baweke (ETH)
- Freweyni Hailu (ETH)
- Senayet Getachew (ETH)
- Hirut Meshesha (ETH)
- Fantaye Belayneh (ETH)
- Maureen Koster (NED)
- Rose Davies (AUS)
- Jessica Hull (AUS)
- Hannah Nuttall (GBR)
- Marta García (ESP)
- Shelby Houlihan (USA)
Women’s 100m Hurdles
- Masai Russell (USA)
- Tobi Amusan (NGR)
- Devynne Charlton (BAH)
- Nadine Visser (NED)
- Alaysha Johnson (USA)
- Alia Armstrong (USA)
- Demisha Roswell (JAM)
- Megan Simmonds (JAM)
- Rayniah Jones (USA)
- Pia Skrzyszowska (POL)
- Danielle Williams (JAM)
- Kendra Harrison (USA)
- Ackera Nugent (JAM)
- Marione Fourie (RSA)
- Luca Kozák (HUN)
- Laeticia Bapté (FRA)
Women’s 400m Hurdles
- Anna Cockrell (USA)
- Emma Zapletalová (SVK)
- Jasmine Jones (USA)
- Rushell Clayton (JAM)
- Dalilah Muhammad (USA)
- Paulien Couckuyt (BEL)
- Fatoumata Binta Diallo (POR)
- Gianna Woodruff (PAN)
- Kemi Adekoya (BRN)
- Ayomide Folorunso (ITA)
- Sanique Walker (JAM)
- Lina Nielsen (GBR)
- Amalie Iuel (NOR)
- Ashley Miller (ZIM)
- Shamier Little (USA)
- Shiann Salmon (JAM)
- Sára Mátó (HUN)
Women’s High Jump
- Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR)
- Nicola Olyslagers (AUS)
- Eleanor Patterson (AUS)
- Angelina Topić (SRB)
- Iryna Gerashchenko (UKR)
- Yuliia Levchenko (UKR)
- Lamara Distin (JAM)
- Maria Żodzik (POL)
Women’s Pole Vault
- Hana Moll (USA)
- Sandi Morris (USA)
- Angelica Moser (SUI)
- Eliza McCartney (NZL)
- Imogen Ayris (NZL)
- Katie Moon (USA)
- Tina Šutej (SLO)
- Emily Grove (USA)
Women’s Long Jump
- Larissa Iapichino (ITA)
- Alyssa Jones (USA)
- Agate De Sousa (POR)
- Hilary Kpatcha (FRA)
- Jazmin Sawyers (GBR)
- Monae’ Nichols (USA)
- Claire Bryant (USA)
- Marthe Koala (BUR)
Women’s Triple Jump
- Thea LaFond (DMA)
- Davisleydi Velazco (CUB)
- Saly Sarr (SEN)
- Leyanis Pérez Hernández (CUB)
- Liadagmis Povea (CUB)
- Dariya Derkach (ITA)
- Ackelia Smith (JAM)
- Gabriele Santos (BRA)
Women’s Javelin Throw
- Yan Ziyi (CHN)
- Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado (COL)
- Adriana Vilagoš (SRB)
- Kitaguchi Haruka (JPN)
- Sigrid Borge (NOR)
- Mackenzie Little (AUS)
- Tori Moorby (NZL)
- Anete Sierina (LAT)
Mixed Relay Teams
Two mixed relay competitions will complete the programme in Budapest.
Mixed 4x100m Relay
The participating teams are:
- Jamaica
- Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Canada
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Nigeria
- United States
- Spain
- Hungary
Mixed 4x400m Relay
The 4x400m mixed relay field consists of:
- United States
- Jamaica
- Norway
- Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Kenya
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Hungary
World Athletics Ultimate Championship 2026: Key Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Competition | World Athletics Ultimate Championship 2026 |
| Dates | September 11–13, 2026 |
| Location | Budapest, Hungary |
| Venue | Gyula Zsivótzky National Athletics Centre |
| Individual events | 26 |
| Relay events | 2 mixed relays |
| Individual prize | Ultimate Champion trophy |
Athletes to Watch in Budapest
Several global stars will be among the biggest attractions of the inaugural championship.
Armand Duplantis leads the men’s pole vault field, while Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Josh Kerr and Cole Hocker headline the middle-distance events.
In the sprint events, Letsile Tebogo, Christian Coleman, Kenneth Bednarek and Julien Alfred are among the athletes expected to attract significant attention.
The women’s programme also features major names including Sha’Carri Richardson, Keely Hodgkinson, Marileidy Paulino and Yaroslava Mahuchikh.
The men’s javelin will be another major attraction, with Arshad Nadeem among the leading competitors.
What Makes the Ultimate Championship Different?
The new championship has been designed to bring a concentrated group of the world’s best athletes together rather than following the larger format of the World Athletics Championships.
With only a select number of competitors in each discipline, every event is expected to feature a high-quality field and intense competition.
There will be no traditional medal table. Instead, each individual event winner will leave Budapest with a trophy and the distinction of becoming an Ultimate Champion.
World Athletics Ultimate Championship 2026: Final Word
The first World Athletics Ultimate Championship is set to give fans three days of elite athletics in Budapest.
With Olympic champions, world champions and leading Diamond League performers across the starting lists, the competition will provide plenty of high-profile matchups across the track and field programme.
The action begins on September 11 and continues through September 13, 2026, with Budapest preparing to host a new chapter in international athletics.
