The world’s leading sprint nations will converge at Botswana this weekend for the 2026 World Athletics Relays, with qualification places for the World Athletics Championships Beijing 2027 on the line.
The two-day competition will take place in Gaborone from 2–3 May, marking the first time Botswana has hosted one of global athletics’ premier relay events.
Now in its eighth edition, the World Relays has grown into one of the most significant fixtures on the athletics calendar, bringing together elite athletes and national teams in a battle for medals, prize money and championship qualification.
Championship Qualification at Stake
The stakes are high in Botswana, with teams aiming to secure automatic qualification for next year’s World Championships in Beijing.
On the opening day, the top two teams in each heat will advance to the finals and book their places for the global championships. Those reaching the finals on day two will then compete for medals, financial rewards and favourable lane allocations for Beijing 2027.
Star Names Heading to Botswana
Several Olympic and world medallists are expected to light up the track in Gaborone.
Canada’s Andre De Grasse, Olympic champion in the men’s 200m at Tokyo 2020 and relay gold medallist at Paris 2024, is set to compete in both the men’s 4x100m and mixed 4x100m events. The 31-year-old arrives in strong form after an impressive victory at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix last weekend.
Home supporters will place their hopes on national hero Letsile Tebogo, who made history by winning Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the men’s 200m at Paris 2024. Tebogo is expected to feature in the men’s and mixed 4x100m relays as the hosts seek another memorable performance on home soil.
Sprint powerhouse Jamaica will once again be among the favourites, led by Shericka Jackson, who is entered for the women’s 4x100m relay. Jamaica’s women have long dominated the discipline, while the men continue to hold the world record established during the golden era of Usain Bolt.
South Africa will also be strongly represented through Akani Simbine, part of the team that claimed Olympic silver in the men’s 4x100m relay at Paris 2024.
Botswana’s Moment on the Global Stage
Hosting the World Relays is another major milestone for Botswana athletics, underlining the country’s growing reputation as a destination for international sport.
With Tebogo leading the charge and passionate home support expected, the hosts will be eager to build on recent relay success after winning a title in 2024 and finishing third in 2025.
Full Schedule (Local Time – CAT, GMT+2)
Friday, 2 May
14:05 – Mixed 4x100m heats
14:30 – Mixed 4x400m heats
15:05 – Women’s 4x100m heats
15:30 – Men’s 4x100m heats
15:55 – Women’s 4x400m heats
16:30 – Men’s 4x400m heats
Saturday, 3 May
14:02 – Mixed 4x100m repechage/heats
14:20 – Mixed 4x400m repechage/heats
14:44 – Women’s 4x400m repechage/heats
15:08 – Men’s 4x400m repechage/heats
15:30 – Women’s 4x100m repechage/heats
15:47 – Men’s 4x100m repechage/heats
16:05 – Mixed 4x100m Final
16:13 – Mixed 4x400m Final
16:24 – Women’s 4x100m Final
16:32 – Men’s 4x100m Final
16:40 – Women’s 4x400m Final
16:51 – Men’s 4x400m Final
How to Watch
The event will be streamed live on the World Athletics website in selected territories, while local broadcasters around the world are also expected to carry coverage.
With Olympic champions, world-class relay squads and championship places up for grabs, the 2026 World Athletics Relays promises two thrilling days of top-class action in Gaborone.
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