Athletics’ global governing body is proving its business model does not depend on the four-year Olympic cycle, with broadcast and commercial rights income driving growth in a year without the usual Games dividend.

World Athletics reported a 15 percent increase in like-for-like revenues to US$69.2 million in 2025, excluding the Olympic Dividend, which is received once every four years. Broadcast and commercial rights, including profit share, contributed the majority of World Athletics’ revenues during the year. A new ticket marketing strategy for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo also generated just over US$3 million.

The international governing body for the sport of athletics maintained a strong cash position of US$37.3 million, halfway through the 2024-2027 financial cycle.

World Athletics, 2025 at a glance FY2025 · financial cycle 2024–2027
1
Like-for-like revenue
Excludes the Olympic Dividend, paid once every four years
US$69.2m
+15%
2
Cash position
Halfway through the 2024–2027 financial cycle
US$37.3m
Stable
3
Grant for Growth distributed
170 of 189 eligible federations approved, 2025–2026 cycle
US$3.4m
+17%
4
Athlete prize money pledged
Committed across the 2024–2028 cycle
US$50m+
5
Competitions registered worldwide
Up from 7,791 in 2024
9,067
+16%
6
Economic impact, three WAS events
Nanjing, Guangzhou and Tokyo championships combined
US$586m
7
Countries reaching a final or top-8
World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025, a record
84
 
Source: World Athletics, 2025 Annual Report and Accounts.

 

Support continued for Member Federations through the Grant for Growth program. Of 189 eligible Member Federations, 170 had an approved Grant for Growth project for the 2025-2026 period, with US$3.4 million distributed, which marked a 17 percent increase on 2024. In addition, over US$50 million will be distributed in prize money to athletes over the 2024-2028 timeframe.

A total of 9,067 competitions were registered around the world in 2025, up significantly from 7,791 in 2024. The three World Athletics Series events that were held during the year – the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25, World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25 and World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 – generated a combined economic impact of more than US$586 million.

The mixed 4x100m relay made its debut at the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25, and World Athletics launched plans for the RUN X World Treadmill Championship in partnership with Technogym.

Commenting the 2025 performance, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “We are no longer a summer sport spanning just a few months. We are a sport that is on show 12 months of the year. The World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 showed us the scale of our reach with 84 countries making a final or a top-eight finish. This is an extraordinary number, the highest ever, and sets us apart from all other sport.”

The 2025 World Athletics Annual Report and Accounts is available for download from the organization’s website, in English and French.

 

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