World Athletics has officially released the qualification standards for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships set to take place next September in Budapest, Hungary.

Wild cards will be granted to reigning Olympic and World Champions as well as the 2026 Diamond League champion. The remaining spots will be filled by world rankings with the qualifying period running from 2nd September 2025 to 1st September 2026, closing just days before the 2026 Diamond League finals in Brussels.

Sprint events (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 100/110mH and 400mH) will have 16 participants with each event beginning at the semi final phase. 

In the 1500m and 5000m their will be 12 athletes with straight finals. 

Technical events will feature 8 athletes with their also being just 8 relay teams. 

The Ultimate Championships will make their debut in 2026 in a move by the sports governing body to have each season be rounded off by a major championships. 

The prize pot is in excess of $10 million with champions receiving $150,000, one of the larget sums awarded by a track meet. 

The athletes already qualified for next years ultimate championships include;