Athletics is getting a Hollywood-style makeover in Budapest this weekend. The first World Athletics Ultimate Championship comes with a huge $10 million prize pot, music, new technology and black-carpet arrivals.
But there is one major twist. No traditional gold medals will be awarded at the three-night event. The competition starts on Friday, September 11, at Budapest’s National Athletics Centre. Individual winners will take home around $148,000.
Second place will receive about $74,000. Third place will earn close to $39,000. Injured sprint star Noah Lyles will host the event, while Usain Bolt has been named the official “Ultimate Legend”.
A new era for athletics
The Ultimate Championship has been designed to bring a fresh feel to the sport. It fills a gap in the calendar because 2026 does not end with either the Olympics or the regular World Championships.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe sees the event as a chance to test new ideas.
Speaking to the BBC, Coe said, “It is an attempt to just start experimenting a bit and innovating, with an event that will determine who really is the best of the best. There’s no guarantee we’re going get everything right, and no guarantee that everything is going to work. In two years, we might look at a slightly different format.”
Each night will last around three hours. There will be 28 finals across the three days.
The stadium has also been transformed. Its usual green infield has been replaced with a black surface. Organisers hope this will keep the focus on the athletes.
Technology will also be central to the show. Fans will see augmented reality graphics, live winning probabilities and projected finishing positions.
Several traditional events have been left out. These include the 10,000m, 3,000m steeplechase, shot put and discus.
The field still features major stars. Keely Hodgkinson, Josh Kerr, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Mondo Duplantis and Jakob Ingebrigtsen are among those competing.
Duplantis has also recorded the official event song, “Gold”. Meanwhile, Lyles will host after injury ruled him out of competing.
The championship is backed by World Athletics and is planned to return every two years.
