World Athletics has introduced the Ultimate Fan Challenge, a global competition to identify the sport's most dedicated supporter ahead of the 2026 Ultimate Championship in Budapest. The initiative features quizzes on athletics knowledge and creative submissions, with winners earning a VIP trip including a meeting with Usain Bolt. Registration is now open at BeTheUltimateFan.com.
World Athletics announced the launch of the World Athletics Ultimate Fan Challenge on March 9, 2026, aiming to engage fans worldwide in the lead-up to the World Athletics Ultimate Championship scheduled for September 11-13, 2026, in Budapest.
The challenge consists of two phases. The first, the Quiz Challenge, tests participants' knowledge of athletics through trivia. Registration is open, with the initial quiz starting on March 9 and subsequent quizzes released every two weeks until June 4. Each quiz includes 10 questions, and participants earn points on a live global leaderboard. Additional points are available by referring friends and family. The phase ends on June 4, naming the highest-ranked male and female winners.
The second phase, titled 'How I Live Athletics,' runs from June 20 to July 23 and encourages creative expression. Fans submit original content such as videos, photos, illustrations, or graphics demonstrating how athletics integrates into their daily lives. Entries must align with one of five themes: training, cheering, community, culture, or heritage. World Athletics selects one finalist per category, followed by public voting in August to determine the overall winner.
Three finalists—the two quiz winners and the creativity winner—will receive travel, accommodation, tickets, and a VIP experience at the Budapest event, including a meeting with athletics legend Usain Bolt. The competition culminates in a live in-stadium finale during the championship to crown 'The Ultimate Fan.'
The Ultimate Championship itself will feature Olympic champions, world champions, and Diamond League Final winners competing in a condensed format to determine discipline victors. This fan initiative extends the event's competitive spirit to supporters globally.
