The 2025 track and field season has been nothing short of electrifying, from Melissa Jefferson Wooden’s unbeaten streak to the thrilling rivalry between Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek, and the emotional farewell tour of the legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. The Diamond League offered a glimpse of greatness, but the Tokyo World Championships truly raised the bar. Now, as the curtain falls on a remarkable year, both fans and athletes are already buzzing with anticipation for the officially announced 2026 season.

The Wanda Diamond League has released its calendar and disciplines for the new season, and it’s absolutely stacked. According to the league’s official website, the action will unfold between May and September across a whopping 13 countries. The journey kicks off in the scorching heat of Doha, Qatar, and culminates with a thrilling finale in Brussels. Fans can look forward to the world’s biggest track and field stars lighting up four continents across 14 electrifying one-day meets.

Here’s the detailed calendar:

Each of the disciplines will light up the track between four and seven times before the grand finale. However, only the best athletes will be able to earn their ticket to the ultimate showdown. At least thirty-two athletes will battle for the coveted Wanda Diamond League crown and a boosted cash prize of up to $100,000 in the final.

As the Diamond League draws closer, another competition is also making its presence felt: the World Athletics Ultimate Championships. With it being scheduled for 11 to 13 September in Budapest, it remains to be seen how many high profile athletes will participate with such a short turnaround after the Diamond League final.

Well, that’s not all, US athletes might face some difficulty deciding which races to enter. You might wonder why. Well, it’s because next year, both the New York Grand Prix and the LA Grand Prix are taking place (after being cancelled this year). Adding on to that, USATF has announced the launch of yet another league.

USATF drops another league before the start of next season

Last week, USATF announced plans to launch a brand-new league, the USATF Tour, which will be fully managed and governed by the federation. According to their official website, this bold initiative aims to revolutionize professional track and field in the U.S., unifying elite competitions under a single banner. The league will streamline schedules, operations, and provide athletes with direct financial, marketing, and logistical support, putting the power firmly in the hands of the competitors.

Talking about their decision, the USATF CEO Max Siegel stated, “The USATF Tour represents a collective investment in the future of our sport. It addresses some of the key challenges facing track and field in the United States, including fragmented scheduling, overlapping events, and dispersed media coverage. Together with dedicated meet organizers from across the country, we can deliver stronger competition, a better fan experience, and greater value for athletes, partners, and communities.”

Scheduled to launch in 2026, the USATF Tour will combine both officially World Athletics-sanctioned competitions and events seeking such recognition in the coming years. The full calendar will be announced after the annual USATF meeting on December 5th. With overlapping events coming up next season, it would be interesting to witness which athlete will take part in which events. For now, who do you think would be the next big star next season?