Bahamas, Botswana and Brazil to host World Athletics Series events

 

 NANJING, China – The World Athletics Council   has confirmed Bahamas and others as hosts for three World Athletics Series events and made a series of other decisions during the 237th World Athletics Council Meeting in Nanjing, China, on 24-25 March.

The World Athletics Council awarded the 2026 World Athletics Relays to Gaborone in Botswana (2-3 May 2026) and the 2028 World Athletics Relays to Nassau in The Bahamas (22-23 April 2028). The 2026 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships will be staged in Brasília in Brazil (12 April 2026).

“I am delighted that Botswana’s commitment to athletics, both through their elite athletes and their event hosting capabilities, has led them to hosting the World Athletics Relays next year,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. “This is the fourth World Championship event Africa has staged over the last decade, in addition to the Diamond League and Continental Tour Gold events, and we are seeing a real increase in experience, expertise and skills.

“We are determined to support Member Federations in their ambitions to grow through hosting our events. Both The Bahamas and Brazil have hosted events in the past and their talented athletes will, I know, generate local and international excitement.”

The World Athletics Relays in Gaborone will see Botswana host a World Athletics Series event for the first time. The country’s capital city held a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting for the first time in 2023 and this year’s Botswana Golden Grand Prix, taking place in Gaborone on 12 April, will also be a Gold-level meeting.

Jacob Kelebeng, Minister of Sport and Arts, said: “This is a moment of immense pride for Botswana. The World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 will ignite a national passion, drawing the world to our shores and showcasing our unique spirit. We humbly welcome athletes and fans alike, knowing that this event will inspire generations and leave a lasting legacy of triumph and unity.”

The World Athletics Relays will return to Nassau for the fifth time in 2028, following the city’s hosting of the event in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2024.

Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, said: “The Government of The Bahamas is delighted to host the world back to our shores for yet another edition of The Bahamas World Athletics Relays. We have had fond memories of great competition, fun and excitement, and we can’t wait to for you to come back.”

The 2026 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships will be the third time that Brazil has hosted a World Athletics Series event, following the 1998 World Road Relay Championships in Manaus and the 2008 World Half Marathon Championships in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro then hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016, and 10 years on the world’s best race walkers will head to Brasília.

Renato Junqueira, Secretary of Sports and Recreation of the Federal District, said: “Brasília is ready to walk with the world. Our city has all the conditions to host an event of the magnitude of the World Race Walking Team Championships. We are the capital of Brazil, we have sports infrastructure, efficient logistics, security and an iconic setting for the competition. The warm welcome from the Brazilian public and the sporting tradition of the Federal District make Brasília the ideal choice for this great event.”