Tickets are now on sale for the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26, offering fans the chance to witness the next generation of global track and field stars at one of the sport’s most iconic venues.
The championships will return to Hayward Field at the University of Oregon from 5–9 August 2026, bringing more than 1,700 junior athletes from nearly 200 countries to Eugene for five days of world-class competition. Organisers have announced accessible pricing, with five-day ticket packages starting at US$75 and three-day weekend packages available from US$50 via TrackTownTickets.com.
Staged at the spiritual home of American track and field, the World Athletics U20 Championships has long served as a launching pad for future Olympic and world champions. Hayward Field previously hosted the event in 2014, and its return to Oregon is expected to deliver another electric atmosphere.
A Proven Pathway to Olympic Glory
For many rising stars, success at the U20 level is the first major step toward senior global medals. At the most recent edition in Lima, Peru, the depth of talent was evident: more than 50 athletes who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games had been age-eligible for the Lima championships.
Among the standout performers to graduate from the U20 ranks was Jamaica’s Briana Williams, a former world U20 champion who has since become an Olympic finalist. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who electrified the world as a junior, has gone on to become a senior global medallist and one of the sport’s most exciting young sprinters. Kenya’s Faith Cherotich also transitioned from junior success to podium performances on the senior Diamond League circuit.
The Lima edition underlined the championships’ reputation as a crystal ball for the sport’s future. The United States topped the medal table in Lima, showcasing its strength in depth across sprints, relays and field events. Traditionally, powerhouse nations such as Jamaica, Kenya and Ethiopia also feature prominently in the standings, reflecting the truly global reach of the event.
Qualifying for Oregon 26
To compete in Oregon, athletes must meet the World Athletics U20 qualifying standards within the designated qualification window. The standards are designed to ensure a high-performance field while maintaining broad global representation.
For example, the men’s 100m standard typically sits at 10.40 seconds, while the women’s equivalent is 11.60. In distance events, standards often include marks such as 3:48.00 for the men’s 1500m and 4:24.00 for the women’s 1500m. Field event benchmarks include marks in the region of 7.60m for the men’s long jump and 1.85m for the women’s high jump. Combined events and relays are also contested, ensuring a full championship programme.
In addition to achieving the performance standard, athletes must meet age eligibility requirements — competitors must be 18 or 19 years old during the year of competition. Member federations are allocated entry quotas, ensuring participation from across nearly 200 nations.
The Stage is Set at Hayward Field
The return to Hayward Field adds further prestige to the 2026 edition. The venue, which also hosted the World Athletics Championships in 2022, is widely regarded as one of the fastest and most atmospheric tracks in the world. Its state-of-the-art design combines tradition with modern innovation, providing an ideal setting for breakthrough performances.
With 1,700 athletes expected to compete, fans can anticipate thrilling head-to-head battles, emotional national triumphs and the first glimpses of names that could soon dominate Olympic headlines.
Affordable ticket packages are designed to attract families, youth athletes and dedicated track fans alike. For those who follow the sport closely, the U20 Championships offer a rare opportunity to spot emerging talent before they become household names.
As the countdown to August 2026 begins, Oregon once again prepares to welcome the world — and perhaps the champions of tomorrow.
