Seven disciplines will be contested in both London and New York: 100m hurdles, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, mile and long jump, with an athlete’s combined points determining the overall winner of the event.
Athletes can win up to $65,000 (£48,500) in each individual event, while overall champions will receive an additional $25,000 (£18,600), meaning an athlete who wins in both cities could pocket $155,000 (£115,000).
Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson was among the winners of the 2025 meet, as some of the world’s fastest women competed amid a party atmosphere inside a packed Icahn Stadium, with live music and Tiffany & Co crowns presented by Serena Williams replacing traditional winners’ medals.
After adding its London event in 2026, Ohanian’s ultimate goal is to create a season-long global league.
That is an ambition he has long been in discussions about with the sport’s governing body and “big partners” World Athletics.
“I’m at a very fortunate point in my career in my life where I don’t want to do anything small. I want to do things that have a big impact, that are about legacy,” said Ohanian, who bought a 10% stake in Women’s Super League soccer team Chelsea last year.
“We know we’re entering into something really ambitious. Ultimately, we want to build a league around athletics, which historically hasn’t had commercial success. This is a big moment for us.”