Witness Athletic Glory! The 2025 World Athletics Championships have commenced in Tokyo, Japan, promising nine days of thrilling competition. From September 13th to September 21st, over 2,000 elite athletes from around 200 nations will compete for world titles. This guide provides comprehensive information on how to follow every moment of this prestigious event, ensuring fans worldwide don’t miss any of the action.
Who’s Involved in the World Athletics Championships?
The 2025 World Athletics Championships are a global gathering of the sport’s best. World Athletics, the international governing body, hosts the event. Expect to see stars like sprint sensation Noah Lyles, distance runner Faith Kipyegon, pole vault record-holder Armand Duplantis, and hurdler/sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone vying for medals. Haruka Kitaguchi will be carrying the hopes of the home nation, aiming to defend her javelin title. Beyond the athletes, a multitude of coaches, officials, and a vast global audience are essential to the championships’ success.
What to Expect at the Championships
This 20th edition of the World Athletics Championships features 49 events, with a total of 147 medals to be awarded. The competition encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including sprints, distance races, jumps, throws, and combined events. The championships aim to crown new world champions and showcase the pinnacle of athletic achievement. The competition began September 13th with the 35km race walk events and will culminate on September 21st with the men’s 4x100m relay final.
When and Where the Action Unfolds
The championships are taking place from September 13th to September 21st, 2025. Morning sessions typically begin around 7:30 JST (Japan Standard Time), while evening sessions and finals commence around 17:30 JST. Tokyo, Japan, is hosting the event, with the majority of competitions held at the Japan National Stadium, rebuilt for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Road events, like the marathon and race walks, will use specially designed courses throughout the city, with the marathon starting and ending at the National Stadium. According to Olympics.com, this marks Tokyo’s second time hosting and Japan’s third time welcoming the championships.
The Significance of the Championships
The World Athletics Championships hold immense significance as the premier global track and field competition outside of the Olympic Games. Its primary purpose is to determine world champions across various disciplines, celebrate athletic excellence, and inspire future generations of athletes. Furthermore, it fosters international unity through sport and offers a crucial platform for athletes to earn ranking points for future event qualifications.
How to Watch: Global Access
Watching from the United States
In the United States, fans have multiple options to watch the championships live and on-demand. Coverage will be available across NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. According to NBC Sports, every session will also be streamed live on Peacock. Due to the 13-hour time difference with the East Coast, most sessions will air in the evening and early morning for U.S. audiences.
Coverage in Australia
Australian fans are well-catered for, with live and free coverage available on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand, as noted by SBS News. Additionally, Channel 9, 9Gem, and 9Now will also broadcast the events. The favorable time difference places many main events in primetime for Australian viewers.
Following the Championships in India
In India, the championships will be telecast live on Star Sports Select 1, Star Sports Select 1 HD, Star Sports Select 2, and Star Sports Select 2 HD TV channels. Live streaming will be accessible on JioCinema.
Access for Canadian and UK Viewers
Canadian viewers can catch the action on CBC Sports/Radio-Canada. For those in the United Kingdom, coverage is available on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, as well as TNT Sports.
European and African Broadcasts
Across Europe and Africa, extensive free-to-air live coverage is provided by 41 EBU members, including France Televisions, ARD-ZDF in Germany, NRK in Norway, SVT in Sweden, and RAI in Italy. The Eurovision Sport digital platform also offers coverage, though geo-restrictions may apply. Warner Bros. Discovery/Eurosport platforms provide comprehensive pay coverage in Europe (excluding Nordics, Poland, and Russia), and the SuperSport network covers Africa.
Global Updates and Real-Time Results
Globally, the World Athletics website and its associated platforms, including World Athletics+, will provide updates and real-time results. This ensures that fans worldwide can stay informed about the latest developments and performances, as stated on World Athletics’ website.
Impact of Widespread Access
This widespread availability ensures that the 2025 World Athletics Championships will reach millions of viewers, boosting the visibility of athletics and allowing fans to easily connect with the unparalleled prestige of this major sporting event. The extensive coverage highlights the global appeal of track and field and its capacity to unite audiences worldwide.
Conclusion
The 2025 World Athletics Championships promise to be a spectacular showcase of athletic talent and global competition. With comprehensive coverage available across various platforms, fans worldwide can easily follow the action and witness the crowning of new world champions. From the Japan National Stadium to living rooms across the globe, the spirit of athletics will be on full display.
