Athlos NYC, a Revolutionary Shift in Track and Field

The ATHLOS NYC meeting was a huge success.

In this article, Deji Ogeyingbo suggests what we learned from the meeting, and that this success could lead to a global series of entertainment based athletics meetings, revolutionizing the sport! 

Athlos NYC, a Revolutionary Shift in Track and Field

In late September, amidst the electric energy of New York City, an innovative track and field event emerged, reshaping how fans and athletes engage with the sport. Athlos NYC, co-founded by Alexis Ohanian, has offered a fresh and exhilarating format to track and field enthusiasts. The event featured 36 elite women competing across six events: the 100m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1,500m. The competition was not only intense but also groundbreaking, merging sports and entertainment in a way that has long been sought after in track and field.

For decades, track and field has struggled with maintaining a consistent fan base outside of major competitions like the Olympics and World Championships. Despite being one of the most ancient and universal sports, its appeal has often been limited to these marquee events. Athlos NYC, however, may have just cracked the code, offering a format that attracts both die-hard fans and casual spectators. The event had high stakes and glamour, with over $663,000 in prize money up for grabs, including a hefty $60,000 for event winners. This dwarfs the prize money offered by traditional Diamond League events and provides a glimpse into the lucrative potential that smaller, non-global meets could offer athletes year-round.

The event also targeted two distinct audiences. One is what Athlos organizers describe as the “core to more” strategy, where loyal track fans bring a friend who may not usually follow the sport outside the Olympics. The other is the fan who only watches track during the Olympic Games. This dual-target approach aims to broaden the sport’s appeal, turning casual viewers into consistent fans while keeping core supporters engaged. It’s a tactic that could help track and field gain the year-round relevance that other sports like basketball or football enjoy.

Athlos NYC was not just about competition; it was about the experience. Fans in the stadium were treated to an entertainment spectacle with rapper Megan Thee Stallion performing to an almost sold-out crowd inside the iconic Icahn stadium. It blended the tradition of track and field with the allure of showmanship. After each…