WORLD ATHLETICSRELAYS
2026 + 2028 EDITION
BID GUIDE
April 2024

www.worldathletics.org

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www.worldathletics.org

Ⓒ Roger Sedres

Bid Guide World Athletics Relays

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Bid Guide World Athletics Relays

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WE
ARE
WORLD
ATHLETICS
With over 3.5 million athletes, 214 Member Federations, and as
the #1 Olympic sport - we are the international governing bodyfor the sport of athletics representing all things running, jumping,
throwing and walking.

And, just like society, we are changing fast.
Our vision is to use the power and accessibility of athletics andour athletes to create a healthier and fitter world. We exist togrow the sport of athletics and make it relevant in people’s lives
and in the lives of their communities.

www.worldathletics.org

5Ⓒ Dan Vernon

The World Athletics Series

When it comes to competitions, we have our crown jewels: theWorld Athletics Series events. WAS for short.
The WAS events include seven of the highest-profile global
championships in the sport. Each WAS event is carefully
designed to bring unique experiences to life. The goal issimple: the world’s best athletes, in iconic places, to inspire
people on and off the track, field and road.
At World Athletics we are committed to creating globally
appealing events that deliver tangible benefits to host cities:
Boosting the local economy, promoting active lifestyles,
driving sport tourism, inspiring the youth, putting existing
infrastructure to good use, celebrating local culture, fostering
sport entrepreneurship, getting cities on the map, creating alegacy of sport volunteering, bringing society together: we canhelp you achieve your identified goals.

Bid Guide World Athletics Relays

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The Moment for Relays

Team spirit has no limits - it compounds all individual ambition,effort and excellence. The World Athletics Relays stands out
within the World Athletics Series, where our individual athletes
are transcended by a collective pursuit.
This event showcases the thrills and sometimes spills unique torelays - it evokes drama, suspense and celebration. The knockout format adds to the excitement and calls for truly inspired
team performances. The field of national teams is diverse, andthe competition is wide open for any nation, big or small, toseize their moment.
The World Athletics Relays also aims to communicate powerful
messages of teamwork and connection that go beyond thetrack and play an important role in engaging community andgenerating civic pride.

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Bid Guide World Athletics Relays

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Introducing the World Athletics Relays

The World Athletics Relays is evolving with crucial
qualifications intensifying the hype, drama and jeopardy ofthis event. Bids are now open for the next two editions of theWorld Athletics Relays, taking place in 2026 and 2028.
The 2028 edition will also serve as the main qualification
process for the Los Angeles Olympic Games 2028. The World
Athletics Relays is held over two days and is make or breakfor national teams as they compete in five Olympic relay
disciplines including Women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, Men’s
4x100m and 4x400m, and the mixed team 4x400.
The stakes may be high, but this event also exudes anabundance of character and flair. The pulsating music,
advanced pyrotechnics and special effects add to both thesuspense and the celebration. A carnival atmosphere will
captivate a whole range of spectators within an immersive
sports entertainment experience.
We are also happy to work with hosts on expanding theprogramme further by including additional relay-related races
and opportunities that hosts feel would contribute to boththe profile of the event and their community, such as various
recreational relay races and a potential Ekiden on the roads ofthe host city. Read on to learn more.
www.worldathletics.org

9Benefits to the Host City

To review the World Athletics Relays in more detail it is worth considering the potential benefitsto the host city across economic, social and environmental pillars, as well as its impact on image
and reputation.

Total Direct Economic Impact
The profile and scale of the World Athletics Relays make it well positioned to deliver meaningful
returns on investment. Alongside event organisers, official event attendees (including
competitors and team officials, competition officials, media and broadcasting personnel,sponsors, suppliers, technical suppliers and volunteers) spectators and any recreational
participants all bring inbound spending power to stimulate a host city’s economy.
See below a snapshot of the economic impact from the World Athletics Relays in Yokohama 2019:
Spectator Spend$ 924,677

Official Event Attendee Spend$ 1,608,190

Total Direct Economic Impact$ 5,866,698

Total Economic Impact$ 8,213,377

Tourism Impact
The World Athletics Relays offers an excellent opportunity to engage the local community anddemonstrate a host city’s culture - whether it’s music, dance, food or all of the above.
Based on the tourism impact from the World Athletics Relays in Yokohama 2019:• A total of 19,612 tickets were bought online for the event and an additional 16,536 tickets
were handed out for free to local schools• On average, spectators attended 1.47 days, giving an estimated total number of uniquespectators of 13,318 of which 65% were out-of-town spectators, and thereby generating
additional spend in the local economy

Bid Guide World Athletics Relays

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OriginNumberPercentage

Yokohama

4,661

35%

Elsewhere in the Japan

8,524

64%

International

133

1%

Due to attending the World Athletics Relays in Yokohama 2019:• 84% of out-of-town spectators said that they would recommend Yokohama as a holiday
destination• 80% of out-of-town spectators said that they would be more likely to return to Yokohama inthe near futurewww.worldathletics.org

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Bid Guide World Athletics Relays

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13Social Impact

Based on an Impact Study from the World Athletics Relays in Yokohama 2019:

Health & Well-Being• 94% of spectators said that attending the event had inspired them to do more active
recreation or sport than they would normally. All World Athletics Series events aim topromote health and fitness to communities, but the World Athletics Relays stands out for thepotential ripple effect that a relay/team based mass participation event is capable of.

Generating Civic Pride• 80% of local residents agreed that hosting the World Athletics Relays had a positive impact
on the host city’s community• 82% of local residents agreed that hosting the World Athletics Relays showcased the hostcity as a positive and vibrant city
• 87% of local residents felt proud that their city hosted the World Athletics Relays

Diversity & Inclusion
Athletics is colour-blind and gender-balanced, offering equal opportunities to athletes fromall walks of life and all races and creeds. We have complete gender equality on the field ofplay (including equal prize money for men and women), we are working swiftly towards genderequality in our governance structures and proud to now have a new gender equal Council.
World Athletics has pursued a policy of transgender inclusivity whilst maintaining a level playing
field for all female athletes. Finally, our fans at the World Athletics Relays in Yokohama 2019were split very nearly on an equal basis too, comprising around 52% men and 48% women.

Bid Guide World Athletics Relays

14Environmental Impact
Environmental Quality of the Event
In recognition of the environmental challenges faced by cities today, specifically air pollution,
climate change and over consumption of resources, as well as the growing scrutiny under which
the event industry is placed, World Athletics will work with hosts to implement a sustainability
management system. This will help demonstrate to all stakeholders a real walk-the-talkcommitment to minimising the event’s environmental impact. World Athletics is also committed
to working with cities to promote environmental initiatives within the wider community.

Air Quality Project Case Studies
As part of World Athletics’ continuing programme to measure air quality in host cities and atsporting venues around the world, World Athletics’ Health and Science Department with thesupport of the local organising committees measure clinical and environmental data at the World
Athletics Series events.
By publishing air quality results from our WAS events, World Athletics hopes to encourage
athletes, recreational runners, cities, local and national governments and member federations tobecome more conscious of air quality and the impact that it has on health and performance.

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Image & Event Reputation
Event Coverage
The World Athletics Relays is an important feature in the global athletics calendar. With morethan 550 media accreditations, it makes headlines worldwide. 50 million viewers watched someform of the World Athletics Relays in Yokohama 2019 and as the main qualification process forthe Los Angeles Olympic Games 2028 interest is likely to rise exponentially.

Digital / Social Media Reach
Based on an Impact Study from the World Athletics Relays in Yokohama 2019 there were:• 532,000 Engagements (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)• 2,500,000 Video Views (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)• 8,200,000 Impressions (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
The appeal of athletics to younger fans means that digital channels are becoming increasingly
important distribution platforms for World Athletics events. Our athletes and the fast-paced, exciting
format makes the World Athletics Relays a perfect fit for young audiences and digital platforms.
A focus on live streaming, the introduction of new fan engagement initiatives and an enhanced
range of exclusive behind-the-scenes multimedia content are all part of World Athletics’commitment to connecting the event, the hosts and our athletes with new audiences online,
ensuring every future edition will connect with more people in a powerful and meaningful way.

Event Impact
We also understand the importance of creating anticipation before the event and a legacy forwhen the show is over, and we will work with you to deliver exactly what you need.
Schools – Athletics legends can visit schools to share the positive effect of exercise generally.
Relay workshops and youth championships can help establish long term development pathways
for the next generation of athletes. At the World Athletics Relays in Yokohama in 2019, schools’
competitions and an ASICS kids’ challenge also took place in the main stadium.
Volunteers – Local residents and sports enthusiasts can play a part in the event experiencethrough volunteering which will boost future athletics hosting opportunities.
Relay Culture – The event can make good use of the World Athletics Relays to nurture a cultureof teamwork in the host city.

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Additional Opportunities

As mentioned above, the World Athletics Relays is held over two days, but that does not limit
hosts to only competition opportunities. World Athletics encourage hosts to expand the impact
beyond the competition period and the stadium walls. The World Athletics Relays can also
provide an opportunity for a range of side events including:

Health & Fitness Outreach
Entry level training programmes can be rolled out locally and nationally through athletics clubs andcommunities to encourage healthy habits. World Athletics will contribute through its network andexpertise by designing fitness programmes and facilitating access to past and present athletes.

Clinics and Training Sessions
Many athletics-related activities can be organised that will appeal to the natural audience forour events, including youth clinics, courses for coaches or training sessions with top athletes.

School Engagement
School-based training and competitions will provide a healthy and engaging activity for schoolclasses to connect with and promote the event. In the days leading up to the World Athletics
Relays you can invite locals to try out athletics in a world class facility. Also, national youth andschool races can be held alongside the main event.

Event-associated eLearning Initiatives
Host staff and volunteers will have the opportunity to access the World Athletics’ e-learning
platform which offers sport and event-related education tools (with modules including
marketing, event presentation, communication, project management and fan engagement) that
aim to upskill event experience in the host city.

Other Activations
As well as the above, former hosts have increased engagement with the World Athletics Relays
from the following activation opportunities:•••••‘Year-to-go’ countdown eventsAthlete engagement events
Mass participation events
Conferences and summits
Concerts and local festivals
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19Revenue Potential

There are a number of additional revenue streams available to event organisers further to any
public funding:(a) The World Athletics Relays• Admission tickets• National sponsorship*• Merchandising*• Concession revenues (food and beverage etc.)• Commercial hospitality sales*• Local hotel commissions(b) Additional Events• Mass participation registration fees
• Fees from clinics and training sessions• Travel packages• Sport conference admission tickets*Subject to the Category Release Agreement being concluded with Dentsu1Ⓒ Getty Images

1 World Athletics has appointed Dentsu as its exclusive global marketing partner and granted Dentsu certain commercial rights
relating to the World Athletics Relays.

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Event Budget

The indicative Event Budget for the World Athletics Relays is between USD $3,500,000 $4,000,000, but it will vary according to local costs and conditions.
World Athletics will schedule virtual meetings with the bidding committees to go through theproposed Event Budget.

11. Other 8.7%

1. Event Planning 14%

10. Technology 2.4%
9. Press 0.1%

8. Host Broadcaster 7.3%

2. Logistics 23.2%

7. Promotional Strategy 12.2%

6. Ticketing, Operations & Hospitality 0.5%
5. Medical & Anti-Doping 1.4%
4. Additional Events 0.9%

3. Event management and Presentation 29.3%

8.7%

1. Event Planning

5. Medical & Anti-Doping

6. Ticketing, Operations & Hospitality

9. Press

10. Technology

11. Other

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8. Host Broadcaster

2.4%

7. Promotional Strategy0.1%

4. Additional Events

0.5% 12.2% 7.3%

3. Event management and Presentation

1.4%

2. Logistics

14% 23.2% 29.3% 0.9%

Bidding Requirements

Based on the World Athletics’ Global Calendar, the preferred date for the World Athletics Relays
is April or May, but we may be open to other dates.
The host city needs to be accessible to teams and equipment travelling from all parts of theworld, so reasonable proximity to an international airport is essential.
There are some mandatory delivery costs payable by hosts to World Athletics relating to various
services provided such as accreditation, access control, video officiating replay system, eventpresentation, website, Host Broadcaster and results management services, and there may also
be a hosting fee depending on the edition of the event.

Sports Requirements
The main venue for the World Athletics Relays should have a minimum capacity for circa 15,000
spectators and hold a Class 1 Athletics Facility Certificate. Hosts must also provide a warm-up
track and facilities within easy walking distance.
Hosts will be responsible for providing all technical and functional areas at the venue, including
call room(s), a mixed zone, a post event area, a photo-finish control room, a video recording
room, a results management room, a doping control station, a technical information centre,
competition information desks and seats for coaches and teams.
Hosts will also be responsible for the installation of video screens, a quality sound system andevent venue decoration, as well as ensuring the main stadium is equipped with reliable andmodern communications networks, infrastructure and services.

Official Hotels and Meeting Rooms
Hosts will be required to provide a shortlist of official hotels available for the following clientgroups in the Bid Application Form:•••••

World Athletics Family and Partners
Athletes and Team Officials
MediaHost BroadcasterTechnical Suppliers and Service Providers

Further information on numbers and duration will be provided at a later stage in the Event
Organisation Agreement.

Bid Guide World Athletics Championships22Bidding Process

If you are interested in hosting either the 2026 or 2028 edition of the World Athletics Relays,
and would like to discuss this in more detail, please contact us on bidding@worldathletics.org

Bidding calendar for the 2026 + 2028 World Athletics Relays
See below the current bid process timeline:
Bid Process StageTimeline

Official Launch & Bid Guide sharedJanuary 2024

Pre-Qualification Form Submission Deadline

10 May 2024

Bid Application Submission Deadline

20 September 2024

Bid Application Final Submission Deadline

11 October 2024

Event awarded by Council

December 2024

Ⓒ Getty Images

Please note that World Athletics reserves the right to amend this bid process timeline as it
deems necessary, and the live World Athletics Series Bidding Calendar is available on ourwebsite – see www.worldathletics.org/hosting/calendar

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World Athletics Championships23

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All Rights Reserved.

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