TOKYO, Japan — The world’s top track and field athletes are gathering in Tokyo for the 20th edition of the World Athletics Championships. Set to be held at the National Stadium from September 13 to 21, the event marks a significant return to the venue that hosted the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, this time with fans in attendance.
Here’s a comprehensive look at what you need to know about the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
Tournament Dates and Venue
The championships will run for nine days, from Saturday, September 13, to Sunday, September 21, 2025. All track and field events will be held at the Japan National Stadium, the main venue for the recent Tokyo Olympics. This is the second time Tokyo has hosted the event, with the first being in 1991.
Participating Teams and Athletes
More than 2,000 athletes from approximately 200 countries are expected to compete. The participating countries are determined through a qualification system that combines World Athletics’ entry standards and world rankings. Each member federation can enter up to three qualified athletes per individual event, with an additional wildcard entry for certain defending champions.
For India, the contingent is led by reigning world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who secured his spot as a wild card entry. He is joined by other key athletes, including javelin throwers Sachin Yadav and Yashvir Singh, and long jumper Murali Sreeshankar.
Significance of the Event
The World Athletics Championships is considered the pinnacle of the sport, rivaling the Olympic Games in prestige and global reach. It provides a platform for athletes to compete for world titles and, in some cases, set new world records. With a total prize money pot of over $8.4 million, it offers substantial incentives for elite performance. The 2025 event is particularly significant as it allows spectators to finally witness a major athletics competition at the National Stadium, which was closed to the public during the Olympics due to the pandemic.
Format and Events
The championships will feature 49 events across nine days of competition, with an equal number of disciplines for men and women, plus a mixed 4x400m relay. The events span a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Track Events: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10,000m, marathons, steeplechase, and hurdles.
- Field Events: High jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus, hammer, and javelin.
- Combined Events: Decathlon (men) and heptathlon (women).
- Road Events: 20km and 35km race walks.
The qualification period for most events concluded on August 24, 2025. Athletes could qualify by either meeting a set entry standard or through their world ranking.
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