BID GUIDEWORLD ATHLETICS
U20 CHAMPIONSHIPS
2028 & 2030 EDITIONS
August 2024

www.worldathletics.org
www.worldathletics.org

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Ⓒ Oscar Munoz Badilla

Bid Guide World Athletics Championships

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www.worldathletics.org

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Ⓒ Oscar Munoz Badilla

Bid Guide World Athletics Championships

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WE

ARE

WORLD

ATHLETICS
With more than 3.5 million athletes, 214 Member Federations,and as the No. 1 Olympic sport - we are the international
governing body for 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
and our athletes to create a healthier and fitter world. We exist
to grow the sport of athletics and make it relevant in people’s
lives and in the lives of their communities.

www.worldathletics.org

5Ⓒ Getty Images

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 the world’s greatest
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, creatinga legacy of sport volunteering, bringing society together:
we can help you achieve your identified goals.

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Ⓒ Getty Images

For the Youth,
to Inspire the YouthThe World Athletics U20 Championships is designed for the youth, to inspire the youth.
This event is the first platform for the best junior athletes in the world to compete for theirnations on the global stage and where the rising stars of our sport emerge.
The World Athletics U20 Championships encourages the next generation of top athletes, but it
can also be a powerful catalyst to motivate many young people to become fitter and healthier,as well as offering memorable work experience and volunteer opportunities to a wide range oftalented young people.

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Introducing the World Athletics U20 Championships
The World Athletics U20 Championships is held over five-days
and the event attracts around 1,350 athletes from 130 nations, as
the world’s best junior athletes compete across 45 events (22 formen, 22 for women and one mixed relay).
This event is the junior equivalent of our premium property the World Athletics Championships,
but on a significantly smaller budget and it is an excellent means to develop the capacity to hostmajor international events.
More than just medals - it also includes the new ‘Athletes Rising’ programme that aims to engage,educate and empower the rising stars of athletics on various topics including social media
storytelling, navigating the competition landscape, athlete representation, as well as
safeguarding and athlete wellbeing.
Bids are now open for the next two editions of the World Athletics U20 Championships which
will take place in 2028 and 2030 respectively. Read on to learn more.

Bid Guide World Athletics Championships8

Ⓒ Getty Images
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9Benefits to the Host City
Total Impact
To review the World Athletics U20 Championships in more detail it is worth considering thepotential benefits to the host city across economic, media, social and environmental impact.
The profile and scale of the World Athletics U20 Championships make it well positioned todeliver a rewarding return on investment for host cities.
See below a snapshot of the total impact from the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali,
Colombia 2022.
$16.5mMedia Impact$14.1mSocial Impact$48k

Environmental Cost- $1.4m

Total Impact$29.4mⒸ Getty Images

Economic Impact

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10Tourism Impact
The World Athletics U20 Championships offers an excellent opportunity to engage the local
community and showcase a host city’s culture – whether it’s art, music, technology or all ofthe above.
Based on the tourism impact from the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia 2022:

Unique Spectators
OriginNumber

Percentage

Colombia

12,90582%

International

2,833

18%

Estimated 15,738 unique spectators across the 6-day competition• 54% of spectators were Female and 46% were Male
• 72% of spectators stayed more than 5 nights• 91% stayed in a hotel or other commercial premises

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Ⓒ Getty Images

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13Social Impact
Health & Well-Being
All World Athletics Series events have a track record of promoting health and fitness tocommunities and this event aims to increase awareness of exercise benefits and options
available in the host city with a focus on encouraging healthy habits in young people.

Generating Civic Pride
Based on an Impact Study from the World Athletics U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland 2018:• 95% of local residents agreed that hosting the World Championships had a positive impact
on the host city’s community• 93% of local residents felt proud that their city hosted the World Championships• 95% of local residents agreed that hosting the World Championships showcased the hostcity as a positive and vibrant city

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 of play(including equal prize money for men and women) and we are working swiftly towards genderequality in our governance structures and proud to now have a new gender equal council. WorldAthletics has pursued a policy of transgender inclusivity whilst maintaining a level playing field
for all female athletes.

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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, and of 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 committedto working with cities to promote environmental initiatives within the wider community.

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

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Image & Event Reputation
Event Coverage
Based on the Impact Study from the World Athletics U20 Championships in Tampere,
Finland 2018:••••

Broadcast by 28 TV broadcasters in over 140 TV nations and across all six continents
Generated over 990 broadcast hours
16 million cumulative TV audience
184 Media Accreditations

Social Media Figures & Reach
Based on the Impact Study from the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali,
Colombia 2022:• 6,626 Posts• 8.4m Engagement• $4.13m Total value
A focus on live streaming, the introduction of new fan engagement initiatives and enhanced
range of 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.

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A Potential for Legacy

We also understand the importance of creating a legacy for the host city after the show isover. This might include rejuvenating existing sport infrastructure and / or boosting future job
opportunities for the next generation.
Renovate Existing Infrastructure – As a consequence of Tampere being awarded the WorldAthletics U20 Championships 2018, €4 million of public funds was invested into the renovationof the Tampere Stadium (including the installation of the new athletics track) and the training
grounds were also refurbished making top class facilities accessible to local teams andresidents..
Develop Social Cohesion & Volunteer Experience – At the World Athletics U20 Championshipsin Tampere, Finland 2018 sport enthusiasts and local residents played a part in the event, with a
total of 800 volunteers supporting delivery of the competition.

Ⓒ Getty Images

Strengthen Hosting Credentials – Hosting the World Athletics U20 Championships 2018
strengthened Tampere’s credentials as a major international event host in preparation of otherevents such as the International Ice-Hockey Federation World Championships in 2022, as well
as boosting its potential candidacy for the European Capital of Culture 2026.

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17Additional Opportunities

World Athletics encourages hosts to expand the impact of the World Athletics U20Championships beyond the competition period and the stadium walls. This event can also
provide opportunities for a range of side events including:

Mass Races
Mass participation races can include individual, team and relay races whereby recreationalrunners will participate and join the experience surrounded by cheering spectators andloved ones.

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

School Engagement
School-based brand design is likely to engage local school children and their parents which
could in turn help to promote the event. National youth and school races can also be held inconnection with the event.

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.

Bid Guide World Athletics Championships18Event-associated eLearning Initiatives
Host staff and volunteers will have the opportunity to access the World Athletics’ eLearning
platform which offers sport and event-related educational tools (with modules including
marketing, event presentation, communication, project management and fan engagement) that
aim to upskill locals in the host city.

Other Activations
As well as the above, former hosts have increased engagement with the following activiation
initiatives:Ⓒ Getty Images• ‘Year-to-go’ countdown events• Athlete Rising Programme• Concerts and festivals

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19Revenue Potential

Further to public funding, there are a number of additional revenue streams available to the localorganising committee:(a) The World Athletics U20 Championships•
••
•
•
•

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• Local hotel commissions*Subject to the Category Release Agreement being concluded with Dentsu1Ⓒ Getty Images

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World Athletics has appointed Dentsu as its exclusive global marketing partner and granted Dentsu certain commercial rightsrelating to the World Athletics U20 Championships.

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Event Budget

The indicative Event Budget for the World Athletics U20 Championships is between USD$5,000,000 – $6,000,000, 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 6%
10. Technology 3%
9. Media 1%

1. Event Planning 17%

8. Host Broadcaster 10%

7. Promotional Strategy 10%

6. Ticketing, Operations& Hospitality 2%
5. Medical & Anti-Doping 4%

2. Logistics 31%

4. Additional Events 2%

3. Event management & Presentation 16%

17%

31%

16%

2%

4%

2%

10%

10%

1%

3%

6%

1. Event Planning

2. Logistics

3. Event management & Presentation

4. Additional Events

5. Medical & Anti-Doping

6. Ticketing, Operations & Hospitality

7. Promotional Strategy

8. Host Broadcaster9. Media

10. Technology

11. Other

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Bidding Requirements

Based on the World Athletics Global Calendar, the preferred dates for the World Athletics U20
Championships are in August, 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 no hosting fees, but there are some delivery costs payable to World Athletics relating
to various services provided such as accreditation, access control, website, Video Officiating
Replay System, the Host Broadcaster and Results Management Services.

Sports Requirements• Stadium of minimum 10,000 seats with Class 1 World Athletics Facility Certificate and eightlane track• Track facility must be of a single radius bend construction, or if of a double radius bend
design, the smaller radius may not be less than 30.00m• Infield shall be natural grass or covered in a synthetic surface approved by World Athletics• Warm-up facility will include a separate area for Long Throws, ideally within easy walking
distance of the Stadium• Adequate training facilities must be provided to ensure training possibilities for all events atappropriate times• A number of technical and functional areas and rooms must be provided in the main Stadium(Call room, Mixed zone, Post event area, Photo Finish, Data Processing, Medal Ceremonies,
Doping Control, Technical Information Centre, Rest area for Combined Events, Storage areas
for Timing and Data processing, Sports equipment storage areas, working areas for broadcast
and media, Technical Delegates room, etc.)• A test event needs to be held within a year or up to four (4) months before the event

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

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

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Bidding Process
If you are interested in hosting either the 2028 or 2030 editions of the World Athletics
U20 Championships, and would like to discuss this in more detail, please email bidding@worldathletics.org
Bidding calendar for the 2028 and 2030 World Athletics U20 Championships
See below the current bid process timeline:
Bid Process Stage

Timeline

Official Launch & Bid Guide shared

August 2024

Pre-Qualification Form Submission Deadline

6 December 2024

Bid Application Documents Submission Deadline

2 May 2025

Bid Application Final Submission Deadline

4 July 2025

Event awarded by Council

September 2025

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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