Pole vault sensation Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis said he was excited to be part of the growth of athletics after the two-time Olympic champion was handed an ambassadorial role for next year’s inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
World Athletics announced last year it would hold the global championship as a grand conclusion to the 2026 season. It will then take place every two years.
In a statement, World Athletics said Duplantis had been named ‘Star Athlete’ for the event.
The governing body added that the pole vaulter would be among the “key collaborators pursuing their cultural passions outside of athletics in music, fashion, art, on-screen, who will promote the new global season-ending championship.”
The event will take place in Budapest with a record $10 million in prize money on offer. Gold medallists will each receive $150,000 as part of what the sport’s world governing body has described as the richest prize pot ever in the sport.
Duplantis won his second world title in 2023 in Budapest.
He also broke his own pole vault world record there for a 13th time on Tuesday, soaring 6.29 meters at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Swede said he was hoping to set a new world record during the Ultimate Championship.
“We’re always looking for new ways to make sure that the spotlight shines on athletics and the Ultimate will light up Budapest,” the 25-year-old added.
“I have great memories of winning world gold two years ago and remember the incredible atmosphere inside the stadium that night. It would be a dream to break the world record in front of a packed crowd next year.
“This event is set to showcase our sport like never before and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
The championship is scheduled to take place over three evenings next year from September 11 to September 13.
Each session will last less than three hours, in a bid to capture the attention of global television viewers.
The program will feature 26 individual events – 16 track and 10 field – and two relays, including the new mixed 4x100m.
Pole vault king Duplantis to promote World Athletics Ultimate Championship
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Pole vault king Duplantis to promote World Athletics Ultimate Championship
- World Athletics announced last year it would hold the global championship as a grand conclusion to the 2026 season. It will then take place every two years
Inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 gets $45m boost
- New tournament set to elevate global esports by establishing a structured ecosystem that supports players, clubs, and national teams
RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced the competition dates and prize model for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh from Nov. 2 to 29.
The ENC adds a national layer to the global esports calendar. It complements the club-based Esports World Cup by giving players the chance to represent their nations.
ENC 2026 is backed by a three-part funding commitment totaling $45 million, structured to support the esports ecosystem through player and coach prizing, club release incentives, and national team development.
It includes $20 million in prize money paid directly to players and coaches across 16 titles.
In addition, the EWCF will provide $5 million in incentives for clubs that release and enable their professional players to participate in the ENC, with rewards tied directly to the performance of their players at the event.
The EWCF will also provide $20 million through the previously announced ENC Development Fund, supporting partners with logistics, travel, program operations, marketing, and the long-term growth of national team pathways.
“National teams bring a powerful new layer to esports, one that is accessible, intuitive, and rooted in identity and pride,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the EWCF.
“Clubs are the cultural backbone of esports. Nation-based competition expands the stage, creates new rivalries, and gives more fans a reason to care from day one.
“Our prize model is designed to keep competition fair and sustainable, rewarding performance while supporting the long-term development of players, clubs, and national programs.”
The ENC introduces a placement-based prize framework, applied across all game titles, designed to be clear and player-centric. Every qualified participant earns prize money and is guaranteed a minimum of three matches.
Equal placement earns equal pay: the same finishing position pays the same amount per player across all titles, and coaches are rewarded alongside players for the same placement.
A first-place finish awards $50,000 per player, whether competing in a solo title or as part of a team, while second provides $30,000, and third $15,000. For team titles, payouts scale with the roster size, so the result is consistent and transparent for everyone competing.
The ENC will launch in Riyadh and move to a rotating host-city model. The event will be held every two years to provide a dependable structure that supports long-term planning for players, partners, and national programs.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Trackmania, Dota 2 have already been confirmed for ENC 2026, with additional titles to be announced in the coming days.
