New York City Returns to Track and Field National Stage After 35-Year Hiatus
The 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor and Para National Championships bring elite competition to Randall’s Island, reviving a legacy that began in the Bronx in 1876 and last hosted nationals in 1991.
New York City is set to host the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor and Para National Championships at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, marking the first time the city has held national outdoor track and field championships since 1991. The event, running from Thursday through Sunday, coincides with the 150th anniversary of the first U.S. Track and Field Championships, which were originally held in the Bronx in 1876.
The decision to bring the championships back to New York follows a five-year period where the event was held at Hayward Field in Oregon from 2021 to 2025. While Hayward Field will host the World U20 Championships in August 2026 before returning to the national stage in 2027, USATF CEO Max Siegel stated that the choice of New York was driven by a desire to celebrate the sport’s history and its commitment to excellence and inclusion.
Icahn Stadium, located on Randall’s Island between Manhattan and Queens, carries significant weight in the sport’s history. It was built on the site of the former Downing Stadium, which was demolished in 2002. Downing Stadium hosted the 1991 nationals, where Leroy Burrell set a 100m world record of 9.90 seconds. Icahn Stadium itself is renowned for Usain Bolt’s 100m world record of 9.72 seconds set in May 2008.
USATF leadership has emphasised the symbolic importance of the location. Max Siegel noted in a press release that New York City is where the championship history began, making it the fitting place to mark the 150th anniversary. The organisation highlighted that returning the event to the city reflects its ongoing commitment to the growth of track and field.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has facilitated public access to the event through a ticket lottery for 500 free seats. Additionally, a 10% discount is available for ticket purchasers using the code "MAYOR10" at usatf.org/tickets. The championships, featuring notable athletes such as Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, will be broadcast on NBC Sports and Peacock.
