Global athletics body – World Athletics- has confirmed that Botswana will host the 2026 World Athletics Relays, scheduled to take place on 2-3 May 2026.
The decision was made at Tuesday’s World Athletics Council, which also awarded the 2028 World Athletics Relays to Nassau in The Bahamas (22-23 April 2028), and the 2026 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships to Brasília in Brazil on 12 April 2026.
“I am delighted that Botswana’s commitment to athletics, both through their elite athletes and their event hosting capabilities, has led them to hosting the World Athletics Relays next year,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
“This is the fourth World Championship event Africa has staged over the last decade, in addition to the Diamond League and Continental Tour Gold events, and we are seeing a real increase in experience, expertise and skills.
“We are determined to support Member Federations in their ambitions to grow through hosting our events. Both The Bahamas and Brazil have hosted events in the past and their talented athletes will, I know, generate local and international excitement.”
The World Athletics Relays in Gaborone will see Botswana host a World Athletics Series event for the first time.
The country’s capital city held a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting for the first time in 2023, and this year’s Botswana Golden Grand Prix, taking place in Gaborone on 12 April, will also be a Gold-level meeting.
Jacob Kelebeng, Minister of Sport and Arts, said: “This is a moment of immense pride for Botswana. The World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 will ignite a national passion, drawing the world to our shores and showcasing our unique spirit. We humbly welcome athletes and fans alike, knowing that this event will inspire generations and leave a lasting legacy of triumph and unity.”
Botswana’s bid this year is specifically set to coincide with the nation’s 60th independence celebrations, where a vibrant culture, and passionate sporting community will be on show.
Last year, Botswana sprinter Letsile Tebogo won 200m gold in the Paris Olympics, and also anchored his 4x400m team to a silver medal.
In other event news, the World Athletics Council approved the timetable for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26. The event, which will take place on 10 January 2026.
Related to the relays, the World Athletics Council also approved the running order for the 4x100m mixed relay at the upcoming World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25 as woman, woman, man, man.
This running order will be reviewed after the event in Guangzhou.
Records for the 4x100m mixed relay will be recognised as of 1 January 2026 (with the inaugural performance to better the recognised world best performance as of the end of 2025).
As well as forming part of the race programme for the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, the mixed 4x100m will be contested at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest in 2026.
