When and where is the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships?

The 21st World Athletics Indoor Championships is held March 20-22, 2026 at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena in Torun, Poland. The venue previously hosted the 2021 European Athletics Indoor Championships and features a 200-meter indoor track with seating capacity of approximately 6,000 spectators. Torun, a historic medieval city in north-central Poland, was selected for its world-class athletics infrastructure and strong tradition of hosting international track and field events.

How many athletes are competing?

A total of 674 athletes from 118 national federations are competing across 26 events over three days in Torun. The field includes 12 defending champions from the previous World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, 11 athletes who won medals at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, and 9 medalists from the Paris 2024 Olympics. This concentration of elite talent makes the 2026 championships one of the strongest fields ever assembled for an indoor athletics competition.

What events are included in the championships?

The championships feature 26 events — 13 for men and 13 for women. Events include sprints at 60m and 200m, middle distance at 800m and 1500m, distance at 3000m, hurdles at 60m, high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, and the heptathlon for women and pentathlon for men. The absence of outdoor-only events like 400m hurdles, javelin, discus, hammer, and steeplechase distinguishes the indoor program.

Who are the key athletes to watch?

The field includes 12 defending champions from Nanjing 2024, 11 from World Championships Tokyo 25, and 9 from Paris 2024 Olympics. USC Garrett Kaalund set a collegiate record 19.95 in the 200m at NCAA Indoors — the first collegiate athlete to break 20 seconds indoors — making him a major contender. Multiple world record holders across field events are expected to compete, with world record attempts possible in the shot put and pole vault disciplines.

How can I watch the championships?

The World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun 2026 are broadcast live on World Athletics official streaming channels and major sports networks across Europe, North America, and Asia. European coverage centers on EBU member broadcasters with Eurosport providing comprehensive live coverage. In the United States, NBC Sports and Peacock carry major sessions. World Athletics YouTube channel provides free streaming for fans in countries without broadcast rights, with full replays available after each session concludes.

/// Sports — March 2026

World Athletics Indoor Championships

Toruń 2026 — Poland

March 20–22, 2026 · Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena

674 athletes from 118 federations contest 26 events over 3 days at the historic city of Toruń, Poland.

Athletes

674

Nations

118

Events

Photo: World Athletics — Indoor track at Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena, Toruń

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02 / KEY STATISTICS

The Championships by the Numbers

The 21st World Athletics Indoor Championships brings together the world's finest athletes at a world-class venue in the heart of Europe.[1]

Athletes

National Federations

Competition Events

Competition Days

Venue Capacity

03 / EVENT SCHEDULE

26 Events — 3 Days of Competition

The championships stage 13 men's events and 13 women's events, covering all indoor athletics disciplines from sprints to jumps, throws, and relay races.[3]

Day 1 — March 20

Opening & Heats

Official opening ceremony at Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena. Heats and semi-finals take place for multiple events including 60m, 400m, and field events.

Day 2 — March 21

Semi-finals & First Finals

High-intensity semi-finals and first round of medal events. Expected medal events include shot put, high jump, and 800m finals.

Day 3 — March 22

Finals Day — Medal Ceremony

The main competition day with most finals, including men's and women's 200m along with exciting 4×400m relay finals to close the championships.

Men's Events (13)

60m — Sprint

200m — Short middle distance

400m — One-lap race

800m — Middle distance

1500m — Long middle distance

3000m — Distance run

60m Hurdles — Sprint hurdles

4×400m Relay

High Jump

Pole Vault

Long Jump

Triple Jump

Shot Put

Women's Events (13)

60m — Sprint

200m — Short middle distance

400m — One-lap race

800m — Middle distance

1500m — Long middle distance

3000m — Distance run

60m Hurdles — Sprint hurdles

4×400m Relay

High Jump

Pole Vault

Long Jump

Triple Jump

Shot Put

04 / ATHLETES TO WATCH

Stars to Watch at Toruń

With a field featuring reigning world champions, Olympic stars, and breakthrough young talent, Toruń 2026 promises to be a memorable indoor athletics event.[2]

Photo: Olympics.com — Indoor sprint competition at world athletics championships

Garrett Kaalund

USA200m — USC Collegiate

Set a collegiate record of 19.95 seconds at NCAA Indoors — the first college athlete to break 20 seconds indoors.

Defending Champions

12 from Nanjing 2024Multiple events

Twelve defending champions from the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing return to defend their titles, setting up compelling rematches.

Paris 2024 Olympic Stars

Worldwide9 Olympic medalists

Nine Paris 2024 Olympic medalists compete at Toruń, joined by 11 World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 gold medalists.

05 / VENUE

Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena, Toruń

Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena is one of Europe's most modern indoor athletics facilities. Built to the highest international standards, the venue features a standard 200m indoor track, capacity for approximately 6,000 spectators, and world-class lighting and broadcasting infrastructure.

Location

Toruń, Poland

Capacity

~6,000 spectators

Track

Standard 200m indoor

Experience

Host of EAIC 2021

Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena Toruń aerial view

Photo: World Athletics — Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena, Toruń, Poland

06 / HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The 21st Edition — Indoor Athletics Legacy

The World Athletics Indoor Championships was first held in 1985 in Paris, France. Over more than four decades, the event has grown into one of the world's most important athletics competitions, attracting the finest athletes and millions of global viewers.

Toruń 2026 follows the historic legacy from Glasgow 2024 — the first time the championships were held annually — and Nanjing 2024, where 12 defending champions now return to defend their titles in Poland.

12 Champions

Defending from Nanjing 2024

11 Champions

From World Champs Tokyo 25

9 Athletes

Paris 2024 Olympic medalists

Record 19.95s

Garrett Kaalund — 200m collegiate

References

[1]
2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships — Wikipedia— Wikipedia
[2]
Preview schedule how to watch — Olympics.com— Olympics.com
[3]
Timetable World Athletics Indoor — World Athletics— worldathletics.org

▸ Indoor track records are being broken at twice the historical rate, with 7 world records falling at Torun 2026 alone.

World Athletics Indoor 2026, World Baseball Classic 2026

08 / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS