Budapest:
The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship gets under way on Friday, bringing around 400 athletes from more than 70 countries to Budapest for three nights of finals-only action and a record $10 million prize pot. Here's everything you need to know before it starts.
When and where:
Three evening sessions – Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 11-13 – at Budapest's National Athletics Centre, the stadium that staged the 2023 World Championships. There are no heats: each of the 28 events goes straight to a final, with the whole programme built as a tightly scripted three-hour show rather than a conventional timetable.
How to watch:
The BBC holds UK rights and is showing the championship live and free. Friday's opening session is confirmed for BBC Two from 6pm; Saturday and Sunday start an hour earlier in Budapest, so expect a 5pm UK start for those, though the exact channels haven't been confirmed beyond Friday – check BBC listings nearer the time. All three nights will also stream on BBC iPlayer.
Why it matters:
It's the richest single event athletics has ever staged. Winners collect $150,000, runners-up $75,000 and third place $40,000, with relay-winning teams sharing $80,000. There are no medals, either – every athlete gets a participation token, and event winners get a specially designed trophy for the token to slot into.
The big draw:
Top of the bill is a 1500m clash between Josh Kerr, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Cole Hocker and Cam Myers, the field expanded to 13 specifically to accommodate Kerr and Ingebrigtsen. The latter doubles up in the 5000m, while Gianmarco Tamberi returns to the city where he won world high jump gold in 2023.
Stars to look out for:
Mondo Duplantis – who also wrote the championship's official anthem – headlines the pole vault field, with a recent injury scare the only slight cloud over his build-up. Also set to compete are: Julien Alfred, Amy Hunt, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Letsile Tebogo, Masai Russell and Miltiádis Tentóglou, among a host of other Olympic and world or Olympic and world champions. Usain Bolt won't be racing – he's been appointed the event's official "Ultimate Legend" – but expect him to be a big part of the show.
Great Britain's Mixed 4x400m Relay team of Yemi Mary John, Lina Nielsen, Alex Haydock-Wilson and Jake Minshull after qualifying for the Ultimate Championship at the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 on May 2, 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana. (Photo by Christel Saneh for World Athletics)
Who's already out:
Noah Lyles withdrew from his expected 100m/200m double on Friday after ending his season through injury, though he'll still be in Budapest in an ambassador role. Faith Kipyegon (hamstring) and Beatrice Chebet (maternity leave) are also confirmed absentees.
If you are heading out there:
Expect hot conditions, cashless payment throughout the venue and gates opening around two hours before each session. (World Athletics)
