World Athletics Ultimate Championship 2026: Rating the prospects of SA's big 6 in Budapest

The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, a three-day competition held in Budapest from September 11-13, promises record prize money and a new title for the world's top athletes. This biennial event, bankrolled by World Athletics, aims to bridge the gap between the Olympics and World Championships, filling the void left by the pandemic and postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Scheduled for three-hour sessions, the championship features reigning champions, world and Diamond League champions, and top-ranked athletes. Notably, Great Britain's Josh Kerr and Norwegian rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen will compete in the men's 1500m, despite not qualifying through traditional means. The event will include 28 finals, with quadruple European champion Amy Hunt set to compete in the 100m and 200m.

World Athletics has introduced several innovations to enhance both the fan and athlete experience. These include a red carpet entrance day before the championship, a lane draft for the 200m event, and the use of augmented reality, athlete headshots, and win probabilities to improve the viewing experience. The event's black infield and center-court style interviews also aim to grab attention and engage viewers.