The all-female athletics competition Athlos is set to expand its global presence in 2026, with London announced as a new host city for the event. Originally launched as a one-day meet, Athlos will now evolve into a two-day competition, reflecting its growing ambition and popularity. Founder Alexis Ohanian has expressed a bold vision for the league, aiming to transform it into the “Formula 1 of track and field.”
Ohanian, widely known as the co-founder of Reddit and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, is driving the initiative to reshape women’s athletics. While Athlos will debut in London for the first time in 2026, it will also return to New York for a third consecutive year, solidifying its presence in two major global cities.
One of the defining features of Athlos is its innovative approach to athlete compensation. In addition to offering a significant prize pool of $2.1 million (£1.5 million), the league will provide participating athletes with equity. This means competitors will not only earn prize money but also have a financial stake in the long-term success of the league.
Several high-profile athletes have already confirmed their participation in the upcoming events. Among them are American sprint stars Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas, along with Tara Woodhall-Davis, Masai Russell, and Dominican Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino. These athletes are expected to compete at London’s StoneX Stadium in Barnet on 18 September, followed by another meet at Icahn Stadium in New York two weeks later.
Ohanian explained that his inspiration for Athlos stems from the global appeal of Formula 1 racing. He envisions a similar model for athletics, where elite competitors travel to major cities around the world, attracting large audiences and creating a spectacle that celebrates excellence in sport.
He emphasized that Athlos is designed with long-term growth in mind. The ultimate goal is to expand the league to include more cities, making it a truly global competition. Importantly, Ohanian highlighted that athletes are central to this vision, describing them as partners rather than just participants.
A key motivation behind Athlos is addressing the long-standing financial disparities in women’s track and field. Ohanian acknowledged the challenges faced by similar ventures, such as Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, which struggled financially during its inaugural season. Despite this, he remains committed to closing what he described as the “historic gap” between the economic opportunities available in women’s athletics and the level of talent on display.
Athlos is fully owned by Ohanian’s venture capital firm, Seven Seven Six, which manages assets worth approximately $900 million (£670 million). However, by offering equity to athletes, the league aims to create a sense of shared ownership and collective success.
Ohanian explained that while prize money rewards athletes for their performances, equity represents their contribution to building the league itself. If Athlos succeeds, those early participants will benefit financially, making them true stakeholders in its growth.
From the beginning, Ohanian has prioritized input from athletes. He personally reached out to competitors, including Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas, even before the inaugural Athlos event in 2024. This collaborative approach has been widely appreciated by athletes, who see it as a meaningful shift in how the sport operates.
Thomas, who is also a Harvard graduate with aspirations of pursuing a career in healthcare after athletics, praised the initiative. She highlighted how rare it is for athletes in track and field to receive equity in a league, describing it as a significant step forward.
According to Thomas, Athlos represents a new model where athletes play an active role in shaping the future of their sport. She believes that this partnership approach increases the likelihood of success, as athletes bring unique insights and understanding of the sport.
She also spoke about the broader impact of Athlos on future generations. Thomas expressed her desire for young girls watching the competition to see a sport where women are respected and properly compensated. She noted that historically, professional track and field has not been viewed as a viable career path, but Athlos is helping to change that perception.
By creating new opportunities and improving financial rewards, Athlos aims to inspire young athletes and provide them with something to aspire to. Thomas described this shift as “rewriting the narrative” of the sport.
The competition format for Athlos will include seven disciplines: the 100m hurdles, 100m sprint, 200m sprint, 400m race, 800m race, the mile, and the long jump. Athletes will accumulate points across events, with combined scores determining the overall winner.
Financial incentives are another major attraction. Athletes can earn up to $65,000 (£48,500) per individual event, with an additional $25,000 (£18,600) awarded to overall champions. This means that a competitor who wins in both London and New York could earn as much as $155,000 (£115,000).
The 2025 edition of Athlos featured standout performances, including a victory by Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson. The event was notable not only for its athletic excellence but also for its vibrant atmosphere. Held at a packed Icahn Stadium, the meet included live music and unique elements such as Tiffany & Co crowns presented by Serena Williams, replacing traditional medals.
Looking ahead, Ohanian’s ambitions extend far beyond a few annual events. He envisions Athlos as a season-long, worldwide league that redefines how track and field is experienced by fans and athletes alike.
To achieve this, he has been in ongoing discussions with World Athletics, the sport’s governing body, and other key stakeholders. These partnerships will be crucial in establishing Athlos as a permanent fixture in the global sporting calendar.
Ohanian described his approach as driven by a desire to create something impactful and lasting. Having reached a stage in his career where he can pursue ambitious projects, he is focused on building a legacy through Athlos.
He acknowledged that transforming athletics into a commercially successful league is a significant challenge. Historically, track and field has struggled to achieve consistent financial success outside major events like the Olympics.
However, Ohanian sees this as an opportunity rather than a limitation. By combining innovative ideas, strong athlete partnerships, and a global vision, he believes Athlos can overcome these challenges and set a new standard for the sport.
The addition of London in 2026 marks an important milestone in this journey. It signals the league’s intent to expand internationally and attract a broader audience.
As Athlos continues to grow, its success could have a transformative impact on women’s athletics. By providing better financial opportunities, elevating the profile of athletes, and creating a compelling global competition, the league has the potential to reshape the future of track and field.
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