What is the Diamond League?
The (Wanda) Diamond League is the premier annual circuit of track and field: a season of elite one-day meetings across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and America — 15 meetings in 2026 — culminating in the Diamond League Final, where event winners take the Diamond Trophy.[1] [2]
How does it work?
Athletes earn points by placing at each meeting; the top-ranked in each discipline qualify for the Final, a winner-takes-the-title showdown. Fields are invitation-by-merit — world and Olympic champions, record holders and the world's top-ranked athletes — with prize money at every meeting and premium payouts at the Final.[1] [3]
Since when does it exist?
Launched in 2010 as the successor of the Golden League, uniting the sport's historic invitationals — Zurich's Weltklasse, Brussels' Van Damme Memorial, the Prefontaine Classic among them — into one global series.[2] [4]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Final | Brussels (BEL), 4–5 Sep — upcoming; 15-meeting season |
| 2025 | Final | Zurich (SUI) |
| 2024 | Final | Brussels (BEL) |
| 2023 | Final | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 2022 | Final | Zurich (SUI) |
| 2010 | Inaugural | First Diamond League season |
The 2026 Final is staged in Brussels, 4–5 September.[1]
Why does the Diamond League matter?
Between championships, the Diamond League is where the world's best race each other for money and rankings points: appearances document invitation-level status, and Diamond Trophies rank just below global medals among the sport's honors. Its meetings regularly produce world records.[2] [3]
References
- World Athletics — Diamond League calendar confirmed for 2026. Accessed August 2026.
- Diamond League — official calendar. Accessed August 2026.
- Olympics.com — Diamond League 2026: full schedule and events. Accessed August 2026.
- Wikipedia — Weltklasse Zürich (background). Accessed August 2026.