The World Athletics Championships 2025 will be the twentieth edition of the competition scheduled to take place from 13 to 21 September 2025 in Tokyo, Japan.
The championships will be staged at the National Stadium, which last hosted a major athletics meet at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
This is the third time that the championships will be held in Japan, following the 1991 event in Tokyo at the former National Stadium, and the 2007 event in Osaka.
For the first time, the World Athletics Championships will serve as the season-ending track and field competition.
Over 2000 athletes from 200 teams are competing in 49 events, with 147 medals on offer.
The Japan National Stadium, which last hosted a major athletics meet at the delayed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in 2021, will serve as the host stadium for the championships.
World Athletics Championships 2025: Storylines to Watch
The End of an Era: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Bows Out
Known for her blistering starts and unmatched consistency over the 100m, Fraser-Pryce has decided to retire on her own terms after returning for one final season. The 38-year-old Jamaican captured eight Olympic medals and 16 World Championship medals in her glittering career.
Her presence on the start line in Tokyo World Athletics Championships will not only be a farewell but also a possible final showdown for a podium finish- cementing her place among the all-time greats.
Noah Lyles Looks to Defend His Sprint Crown
On the men’s side, Noah Lyles enters Tokyo as the reigning world champion in both the 100m and 200m. However, his road this season has been rocky. A delayed start due to injuries has left him winless in the 100m so far this year, raising questions about his form.
But Lyles remains a dominant force over the 200m, his signature event, having recently claimed the Diamond League Final title. If healthy, Lyles has the speed and swagger to pull off another sprint double- but the competition will be fierce.
Also Read: World Athletics Championships: Noah Lyles Headlines Team USA
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Targets Flat 400m Glory
In one of the most intriguing shifts of the season, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone- the world record holder in the 400m hurdles- has turned her full focus to the flat 400m in 2025. The American has already clocked 48.90, the third-fastest time this year, proving she is a serious contender.
She’ll be up against some elite competition at World Athletics Championships 2025
Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, the 2019 world champion, with a season-best of 48.67
Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, the Olympic gold medalist, who has run 48.81 this year
The women’s 400m in Tokyo could be the most hotly contested single-lap race in recent memory.
Global Stars Return to Defend Titles
Beyond the sprint headlines, Tokyo will feature a number of reigning world champions and world record holders aiming to defend their titles and extend their legacies:
Mondo Duplantis (Sweden) – The men’s pole vault king has repeatedly broken his own world record and remains unbeatable in major finals.
Femke Bol (Netherlands) – The women’s 400m hurdles specialist continues to close in on McLaughlin-Levrone’s world record and dominates every circuit she enters.
Neeraj Chopra (India) – The Olympic and World Champion in javelin remains the pride of Indian athletics and a favorite to win again.
Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) – Already a legend, Kipyegon holds world records in both the 1500m and 5000m, and is likely to double again in Tokyo.
Yulimar Rojas (Venezuela) – The triple jump world record holder is always a showstopper, often breaking boundaries with each leap.
World Athletics Championships 2025: Schedule
- 13 September — Start of Championships, with first medals awarded in men’s 35km race walk
- 14 September — Men’s and women’s 100m finals
- 15 September — Men’s marathon and pole vault finals
- 16 September — Women’s 1500m final
- 17 September — Men’s 1500m final
- 18 September — Men’s and women’s 400m finals
- 19 September — Men’s and women’s 200m finals
- 20 September — Women’s heptathlon concludes
- 21 September — End of Championships, with men’s decathlon and men’s and women’s relay finals
World Athletics Championships 2025: Where to watch
| Country/Region | TV Broadcaster(s) | Streaming Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | NBC | Peacock |
| Canada | CBC Sports / Radio-Canada | CBC Sports / Radio-Canada |
| United Kingdom | BBC Two, TNT Sports | BBC iPlayer |
| Australia | SBS VICELAND | SBS On Demand |
| Europe (45 markets) | Eurosport (TNT Sports in UK & Ireland) | HBO Max, discovery+ |
| Jamaica | Television Jamaica, TVJ Sports Network | 1spotmedia |
