The 2026 World Athletics Relays was held at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana on 2 and 3 May 2026.2026 World Athletics Relays schedule World Athletics It was the 8th edition of the World Athletics Relays and the first time the event was held in Botswana, or in Africa.In a landmark decision for African athletics, Botswana has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 World Athletics Relays. The prestigious event will take place in Gaborone on May 2nd and 3rd, 2026 Zimbabwean News. News of the South
Bidding World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said "This is the fourth World Championship event Africa has staged over the last decade, and we are seeing a real increase in experience, expertise and skills." The World Athletics Council confirmed the hosts for three World Athletics Series events and made a series of other decisions during the 237th World Athletics Council Meeting in Nanjing, China from 24 to 25 March. The World Athletics Relays in Gaborone will mark Botswana’s first time hosting a World Athletics Series event.237th World Athletics Council press conference: Tuesday 25th March 2025 World Athletics The capital city held a Continental Tour Gold meeting in 2023 and also held the Botswana Golden Grand Prix in 2024.Botswana to Host 2026 World Athletics Relays Afro GazetteBotswana to Host the 2026 World Athletics Relays : A Historic Milestone for African Athletics Voyages Afriq is Africa’s No 1 Travel & Tourism Media & News publicationBotswana to host 2026 World Athletics Relay Confederation of African Athletics
Overview
The event served as a qualifying event for the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest and the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing; the top six teams in the 4 × 100 metres mixed relay and the 4 × 400 metres relay qualified for Budapest, while the top 12 teams in each event qualified for Beijing.
Schedule All times are local (UTC+2) Central Africa Time.
Day 1–2 May 2026 CAT Event Round14:05 Mixed 4 × 100 m Heats14:30 Mixed 4 × 400 m Heats15:05 Women's 4 × 100 m Heats15:30 Men's 4 × 100 m Heats15:55 Women's 4 × 400 m Heats16:30 Men's 4 × 400 m Heats
Day 2–3 May 2026 CAT Event Round14:02 Mixed 4 × 100 m Repechage round14:20 Mixed 4 × 400 m Repechage round14:44 Women's 4 × 400 m Repechage round15:08 Men's 4 × 400 m Repechage round15:30 Women's 4 × 100 m Repechage round15:47 Men's 4 × 100 m Repechage round16:05 Mixed 4 × 100 m Final16:13 Mixed 4 × 400 m Final16:24 Women's 4 × 100 m Final16:32 Men's 4 × 100 m Final16:40 Women's 4 × 400 m Final16:51 Men's 4 × 400 m Final
World Athletics aims to build on successful year and forge lasting geopolitical relationships during unprecedented 2026 - Competition decisions Timetables published 3 December 2025 World Athletics
Medal table
Medalists Men's Ronnie BakerMax ThomasLance LangPjai Austin 37.43 Myuyo MossCheswill JohnsonBradley NkoanaAkani Simbine 37.49 Kevin KranzMarvin SchulteOwen AnsahLucas Ansah-Peprah 37.76Men's Lee EppieLetsile TebogoBayapo NdoriCollen KebinatshipiJustice Oratile* 2:54.47 Mthi MthimkuluLythe PillayLeendert KoekemoerZakithi NeneUdeme Okon* 2:55.07 Luke van RatingenReece HolderTom ReynoldsAidan MurphyMatthew Hunt* 2:55.20 Women's Briana WilliamsJodean WilliamsLavanya WilliamsElaine Thompson-HerahShericka Jackson*Jonielle Smith* 42.00Sade McCreathAudrey LeducMarie-Éloïse LeclairDonna Ntambue42.17 Lucia CarrilloJaël BestuéEsperança CladeraMaría Isabel Pérez 42.31Women's Josefine Tomine Eriksen AksAmalie IuelAstri ErtzgaardHenriette Jæger 3:20.96 Paula SevillaAna PrietoRocío ArroyoBlanca Hervás 3:21.25 Zoe SherarLauren GaleJasneet NijjarSavannah SutherlandDianna Proctor* 3:22.66 Mixed 4 × 100 metres relaydetailsAckeem BlakeTina ClaytonKadrian GoldsonTia Clayton 39.62 Eliezer AdjibiMarie-Éloïse LeclairDuan AsemotaAudrey Leduc 40.23Courtney LindseyJada MowattKyree KingE'Lexis Hollis 40.33Mixed 4 × 400 metres relaydetails Bryce DeadmonParis PeoplesJenoah McKiverBailey LearBrian Faust* 3:07.47 Deandre WatkinShana Kaye AndersonAntonio WatsonRushell Clayton 3:08.24 Alex Haydock-WilsonLina NielsenJake MinshullYemi Mary John 3:09.84
Participating nations 723 athletes from 40 federations are entered to the championships.
(host)
Did not enter Men's and Women's 4 × 400 metres relay team
Qualification for 2027 World Athletics Championships Men's relay Qualification event 2026 World Athletics Relays12 Total 12
Men's relay Qualification event 2026 World Athletics Relays12 Total 12
Women's relay Qualification event 2026 World Athletics Relays12 Total 12
Women's relay Qualification event 2026 World Athletics Relays12 Total 12
Mixed relay Teams in bold also qualified for the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship. Qualification event 2026 World Athletics Relays12 Total 12
Mixed relay Teams in bold also qualified for the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship. Qualification event 2026 World Athletics Relays12 Total 12
References
External links