Home · World · Sep 11 archive
Record Prize Pot of $10m at Inaugural Ultimate Championship
Confirmed
In Short: The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, set to open in Budapest, features a record-breaking $10m prize pot, attracting the world's top athletes.
The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, set to open in Budapest this weekend, is set to feature a record-breaking $10m prize pot, attracting the world's elite athletes. According to Al Jazeera, the event is designed to be an 'incubator for change' and will shape the future of the sport's established World Championships.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe emphasized the significance of the event, stating that the Ultimate Champion will receive global 'bragging rights' and a substantial financial reward. Denny, the current world number two, highlighted the potential impact of the prize money on athletes' careers and lives.
The competition, which opens with Olympic Games champions competing, includes a mix of World Championship gold medallists, Diamond League winners, and the best performers of 2026 based on the World Rankings qualification system. The event is designed to be an invite-only competition, featuring the sport's top talent.
The prize pot is more than double what was awarded at last year's World Championships in Tokyo and three times the amount given to Olympic champions in Paris. World Athletics is providing the 'richest prize pot in the history of the sport,' as Coe put it.
The Ultimate Championship will take place over three days, live on the BBC from September 11-13. Armand Duplantis, a pole vault star, will perform the official song of the championship, while American sprinter Christian Lyles, who is ruled out by injury, will act as host.
The event is part of a broader strategy by World Athletics to maintain focus on the sport and offer lucrative prize money. However, it remains to be seen whether the Ultimate Championship will succeed where the Grand Slam Track league, which attempted a similar format last year, failed due to financial issues.
What's confirmed
- The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, set to open in Budapest this weekend, is set to feature a record-breaking $10m prize pot, attracting the world's elite athletes. According to Al Jazeera, the event is designed to be an 'incubator for change' and will shape the future of the sport's established World Championships.
- World Athletics President Sebastian Coe emphasized the significance of the event, stating that the Ultimate Champion will receive global 'bragging rights' and a substantial financial reward. Denny, the current world number two, highlighted the potential impact of the prize money on athletes' careers and lives.
- The competition, which opens with Olympic Games champions competing, includes a mix of World Championship gold medallists, Diamond League winners, and the best performers of 2026 based on the World Rankings qualification system. The event is designed to be an invite-only competition, featuring the sport's top talent.
- The prize pot is more than double what was awarded at last year's World Championships in Tokyo and three times the amount given to Olympic champions in Paris. World Athletics is providing the 'richest prize pot in the history of the sport,' as Coe put it.
- The Ultimate Championship will take place over three days, live on the BBC from September 11-13. Armand Duplantis, a pole vault star, will perform the official song of the championship, while American sprinter Christian Lyles, who is ruled out by injury, will act as host.
- The event is part of a broader strategy by World Athletics to maintain focus on the sport and offer lucrative prize money. However, it remains to be seen whether the Ultimate Championship will succeed where the Grand Slam Track league, which attempted a similar format last year, failed due to financial issues.
What's still developing
- Denny, current world number two, explained that the prize money “can change a career and a life” and implored World Athletics to reconsider its stance on public interest driven by its own statistics.
- Many return to the stomping ground in the Hungarian capital after successes at the 2023 World Championships, while others have racked up global titles after breakout performances throughout the year.
- The sport’s global governing body chose 2026 to launch the event in between the World Championships, and, in Olympic years, use it to round out a highly competitive season.
- Armand Duplantis singing before eyeing another world record.
- Armand Duplantis performing his new record, while aiming to break another.