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.
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.
When was the last time the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships were in New York City?
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.
How do I watch the 2026 USA Track and Field Outdoor and Para National Championships on NBC and Peacock?
The USATF Outdoor and Para National Championships air live on NBC Sports, Peacock and USATF.TV from Thursday through Sunday.
The 100m finals, expected to include Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, are Friday, live on Peacock and NBCSN.
The 200m finals, expected to include Lyles and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, are Sunday, live on NBC and Peacock.
A full broadcast schedule is here.
