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The World Athletics Ultimate Championships, taking place in Budapest, Hungary, from September 11–13, 2026, will feature 10 track and six field events over two days, focusing on elite-level competition.

The inaugural edition of the World Athletics Ultimate Championships is scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary, from September 11–13, 2026.

In contrast to the traditional World Athletics Championships, which span 10 days and include a wide array of track and field events, the Ultimate Championships will be a condensed, high-level competition lasting only two days. It will feature 10 track events and six field events, with an emphasis on elite-level competition.

Notably, some popular events, such as the 10,000m and the 3,000m steeplechase, will not be included in the Ultimate Championships. This decision has generated some confusion among athletics enthusiasts, who initially believed this event to be the same as the regular World Athletics Championships.

In response to these concerns, Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) General Secretary and World Athletics Council Member, Beatrice Ayikoru, clarified the distinction between the two competitions.

“There is no cause for concern,” Ayikoru assured. “The Ultimate Championships is a different concept. While the World Athletics Championships feature all track and field events over 10 days, the Ultimate Championships will focus on a selection of events over two days, with athletes invited based on their world rankings. Not all member federations will have athletes participating in this championship.”

Ayikoru further explained that the Ultimate Championships are designed to provide opportunities for top-ranked athletes in years without major competitions, such as the Olympics or the World Athletics Championships.

The Ultimate Championships will feature the top eight world-ranked athletes in each event, with no preliminary rounds and a limited number of competitors. There will be no restrictions on the number of athletes per country, with individual rankings taking precedence over nationality.

“Events like the 10,000m and 3,000m steeplechase will remain part of the World Athletics Championships but not the Ultimate Championships,” Ayikoru noted. “Instead, 3,000m steeplechase athletes will compete in the 3,000m event, while 10,000m athletes may participate in the 5,000m.”

Each champion at the Ultimate Championships will receive a grand prize of $150,000 (555,822,762 Ugandan shillings), emphasizing the prestige of this high-profile competition.

With its innovative format and focus on elite performances, the Ultimate Championships promises to bring a new dimension to the athletics calendar, providing a platform for the world’s best athletes in a thrilling, fast-paced event.