World Athletics Championships 2026 to Showcase Record Prize Money

World Athletics today confirmed that the 2026 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo will offer a record-breaking $9.5 million in prize money, the largest purse in the competition's 43-year history. The announcement comes as the sport seeks to elevate athlete compensation and attract top talent to compete in Japan's capital.

The prize fund includes equal distribution for men's and women's events, with individual gold medalists receiving $70,000 each — a 40% increase from the 2023 Championships in Budapest. Relay team members will share $80,000 for a gold medal finish. Additionally, World Athletics has committed to providing travel and accommodation grants for athletes from developing nations.

Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, stated that the increased prize money reflects the organisation's commitment to making athletics a sustainable career for elite athletes. The 2026 Championships will be held at the Tokyo National Stadium from 15-23 August, with an expected global broadcast audience of over 1 billion viewers.