Track and field is on the cusp of a groundbreaking transformation, thanks to a massive $10 million investment by World Athletics that is set to redefine the sport’s competitive and financial landscape. Announced in 2024, the new initiative introduces the Ultimate Championship, a biennial event scheduled to debut in 2026. With a prize purse unlike anything the sport has seen before, the championship promises to reshape how athletes are rewarded—and how the world engages with the sport.
Set to take place in Budapest, the Ultimate Championship will offer gold medal winners a staggering $150,000, making it the most lucrative event in track and field history. For elite athletes such as Noah Lyles and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, this marks a significant shift in the financial opportunities within the sport. While global stages like the Olympics and World Championships provide glory and recognition, they have long been criticized for their lack of direct athlete compensation. This new event aims to correct that imbalance.
Noah Lyles, fresh off his 100m gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been vocal about the need for structural change in the sport. While he welcomed the financial incentives of the Ultimate Championship, he also noted the broader issues surrounding how athletes are compensated and promoted. “We’ve been putting on world-class performances with little financial return,” Lyles remarked in a recent interview. “It’s good to see steps being taken, but there’s still more to be done.”
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who stunned the world in Paris by breaking her own 400m hurdles world record, is also poised to benefit from the enhanced spotlight and rewards. Her dominance on the track and growing influence off of it make her an ideal figure to lead track and field into this new era. With the Ultimate Championship offering both prestige and financial reward, it gives athletes like McLaughlin-Levrone the opportunity to further cement their legacies while also securing their futures.
The investment comes at a time when concerns over athlete pay and visibility have reached a boiling point. Past controversies, including outspoken critiques from sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson and others, have highlighted the need for a fairer and more sustainable model. The Ultimate Championship could serve as a powerful response—elevating the sport’s profile, rewarding its stars, and drawing in new fans with its high-stakes format.
By blending elite performance with significant monetary incentives, World Athletics is making a clear statement: the future of track and field is not just about medals—it’s about meaningful compensation, global exposure, and long-term growth. For Lyles, McLaughlin-Levrone, and the next generation of stars, the track is no longer just a stage for glory—it’s becoming a platform for real change.