The 2025 World Athletics Championships drop into Tokyo like a nine-day sporting festival. The world’s fastest, highest, and strongest will converge at the rebuilt Japan National Stadium on September 13 for a pack of headline match-ups, debutant athletes, and, very likely, a record or two. Below is a reader-friendly guide that puts together the official timetable, venue and ticket facts, how to watch across key regions, and the ‘can’t-miss’ events.

Tokyo Championships Schedule: Dates and Session Timings

The championships run from 13–21 September 2025, staged over nine days of competition in Tokyo’s National Stadium. World Athletics publishes a full session-by-session timetable (heats, semis, finals): It’s the schedule to plan around. Most days are split into two stadium sessions: a morning session (qualifying rounds, some field events, and heats) and an evening session (prime-time semis and finals). Morning sessions generally kick off around 08:00 JST and run into the late morning; evening sessions start in the neighborhood of 19:00 JST and finish around 22:00–22:30 JST. Exact session start times vary by day and event, so check the official timetable for the discipline you’re most interested in.

Because Tokyo heat is a factor for road events, World Athletics and organizers have adjusted some road-race start times (and road courses) to earlier slots to protect athletes. A practical tweak, which you’ll see reflected in the live schedule.

What is the venue for the 2025 World Athletics Championships?

The championships will be staged at the Japan National Stadium (also called the National Stadium) in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The same stadium was rebuilt for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. It’s an intimate modern arena for athletics with a seating capacity listed at about 68,000, combining a classic oval bowl with the Japanese “stadium in a forest” design language. Road events (marathon/race walks) use courses around the city with finishes tied to the stadium on selected days. The National Stadium’s mix of wood and steel in the façade makes for fantastic spectator sightlines and, for those in the stands, a memorable setting for clashes between world champions.

Where to buy tickets for the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships?

Official tickets are sold through the championships’ ticket partner, Pia Corporation (the Tokyo25 ticket portal is the primary authorized seller). The event organizer and ticket portal include full seat maps, session ticket options, and special packages. Ticket types on sale include Premium 1/Premium 2/Category A/Category B/Category C, and specialty seating such as Pair Seat with Table. Categories, prices, and what’s included vary by session and day (finals and evening sessions are priced higher). The organizers also list a range of accessible seating and hospitality options. Check the official Pia Tokyo25 page for the latest availability and exact pricing by session.

Pro tip: If you’re planning to attend on evenings with multiple finals (sprints, relays), buy early. Those sessions sell out the fastest. The organizers’ ticket pages and World Athletics confirm that session tickets (not separate opening-ceremony tickets) grant stadium entry for the opening evening.

How to watch the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships: Broadcasters and Streaming Options

Coverage is broadly international and (as always) territory-specific. Here are the principal outlets to know:

• United States: NBC Sports is the official broadcaster with streaming on Peacock (the channels and Peacock will split live coverage and replays).

• United Kingdom: Public-service coverage is widely available via the BBC (TV channels and BBC iPlayer provide extensive live and highlights packages in the UK). For full session lists and UK broadcast times, check BBC Sport updates.

• Canada: Coverage is being carried by CBC Sports/Radio-Canada (streams and highlights; CBC has preview programming).

• Australia: a notable dual arrangement. Channel Nine and SBS will both carry sessions (live and on demand via 9Now and SBS On Demand/SBS Viceland). This double free-to-air access is convenient for Australian fans.

• Europe/multiple territories: Warner Bros. Discovery (Eurosport/Discovery+) and Eurovision Sport hold pan-European distribution. Discovery+ and HBO Max carry streaming in many markets where WBD/Eurosport are the rights holders.

If you’re elsewhere, World Athletics runs a “Where to watch” hub that lists local broadcasters by country – it’s the best single reference to confirm rights for your territory. Also, World Athletics often streams selected events or highlights via their official YouTube channels and World Athletics Plus (geo-restrictions may apply).

Key Events to Watch: Top Races and Medal Contenders

This Tokyo meeting packs the calendar with headline moments. A few must-watch events are mentioned below:

• Men’s & Women’s 100m (Finals on 14 Sept): Short, brutal, and huge for the sport. The 100m semis and finals fall on Sunday, 14 September. Expect Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson, Kenny Bednarek, and others in a mouthwatering men’s field. On the women’s side, names like Sha’Carri Richardson, Julien Alfred, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (among others) are in the conversation. These finals are packaged into Tokyo prime time for global TV.

• 200m Finals (19 Sept): The 200m finishes late in the week (finals on 19 September) and again features Noah Lyles (the 200m is his signature event), Letsile Tebogo, and other top speedsters. Expect fireworks under the evening lights.

• Pole Vault & High Jump (midweek): The technical, theatrical vertical events are classic TV must-see. Mondo Duplantis arrives as the clear pole-vault favorite, a record chaser who always brings drama, while the high jump fields (men and women) include multiple medal threats as well.

• Relays (Final day): The meet closes with the relays. The 4x100m and 4x400m finals are both championship theatre and team pride moments that often produce heart-stopping finishes.

• Marathon & Race Walks (city courses): Held across the week with finishes linked to the stadium on selected days. With the Tokyo heat in the equation, these races have tactical intrigue and will run on earlier start times where needed.

Each event page in the official timetable shows exact dates/times and session allocation. For the die-hard planner, it’s advised that they should bookmark the World Athletics’ timetable by discipline.

Star Athletes to Follow at Tokyo World Championships 2025

Here’s a quick roll call of names you’ll hear all week — short bios and why to watch:

• Noah Lyles (USA): A sprint superstar and perennial 200m favorite (also top-class in the 100m thanks to the gold he bagged in the event at the 2024 Paris Olympics). Lyles’ combination of speed and showmanship makes every race a headline.

• Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA): The world-class hurdler who has broadened her programme, running the 400m flat at major meets this season. Expect top speed and tactical savvy.

• Mondo (Armand) Duplantis (SWE): The pole-vault phenomenon and serial world-record setter. Anytime he competes, there’s a chance of something historic.

• Sha’Carri Richardson (USA): Raw speed and star power in the women’s sprints. She’s one to watch in the 100m/200m and any relay action.

• Faith Kipyegon (KEN): The 1500m/5000m supremo of World and Olympic pedigree, and a candidate for distance double glory in Tokyo.

• Ryan Crouser (USA): The shot-put colossus and defending major champion. His throws dominate headlines and the medal board.