New York City adds to its track and field history as USATF Outdoor and Para Championships host
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The Toyota USA Track and Field Outdoor and Para National Championships in New York City this week mark the first time the Big Apple will host a national outdoor championships in track and field in 35 years.
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Icahn Stadium — on Randall's Island between Manhattan and Queens — will add to its track and field legacy with competition from Thursday through Sunday, live on NBC Sports and Peacock.
Nationals from 2021-25 were all held at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon.
This year, Hayward will instead host the World U20 Championships from Aug. 5-9, then will return to hosting nationals in 2027.
2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor and Para National Championships: How to watch, schedule, previewThe Toyota USATF Outdoor and Para National Championships air on Peacock and NBC Sports.Randall's Island also hosted the last time nationals were in New York City in 1991 — when Leroy Burrell lowered the 100m world record to 9.90 seconds. That meet was at Downing Stadium, which was demolished in 2002, after which Icahn was built on the same ground.
Icahn is best known as the site of Usain Bolt's first world record. On May 31, 2008, he lowered the 100m world record to 9.72 seconds at a Grand Prix meet, two months before his Olympic breakout in Beijing.
This year is also the 150th anniversary of the first U.S. Track and Field Championships, which were in the Bronx in 1876.
"The Toyota USATF Outdoor and Para National Championships represent the very best of our sport, and there is no more fitting place to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Outdoor Championships than New York City, where our championship history began,” USATF CEO Max Siegel said in a press release. “Bringing these championships back to New York for the first time in more than three decades reflects our commitment to excellence, inclusion and the continued growth of track and field."
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that the city is giving away 500 tickets to the meet via a lottery system.
Those who purchase tickets can get 10% off by using the promotional code "MAYOR10" at usatf.org/tickets during check out.
Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships 2026: Noah Lyles, Sha’Carri Richardson highlight events to watchThe USATF Outdoor and Para National Championships air on NBC Sports and Peacock from Thursday through Sunday.