World Athletics has officially launched the Ultimate Fan Challenge, a global competition inviting track and field enthusiasts to compete in quizzes and creative tasks. The top participants will win an exclusive trip to the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest and the opportunity of a lifetime: a meet-and-greet with Usain Bolt.
Bi-Weekly Quizzes: Speed and Knowledge Matter
The first stage of the competition focuses on theoretical knowledge and consistency. The contest platform went live on March 9, 2026, kicking off a series of tests designed to challenge fans on historic sporting moments and athletics statistics. Fans can now register at BeTheUltimateFan.com to participate in six scheduled quizzes.
New question sets will be released every two weeks, with this phase running until June 4, 2026. Each quiz consists of 10 questions with varying difficulty levels. The scoring system rewards true experts: 1 point for easy questions, 2 points for medium, 3 points for hard, and 4 points for questions specifically about individual athletes.
In this phase, accuracy is just as important as speed. Participants can also earn bonus points by using unique referral codes to invite friends. A live global leaderboard will track progress throughout the stage. Once the phase concludes, the top-ranked male and top-ranked female will earn a direct ticket to the grand final.
Show Your Passion: The Creative Phase
The second phase, titled “How I Live Athletics,” shifts the focus from trivia to creativity and personal connection to the sport. Running from June 20 to July 23, 2026, this stage asks fans to submit an original piece of work showcasing their passion for athletics.
Participants have full creative freedom, with submissions accepted in the form of videos, photos, illustrations, or digital graphics. Entries must align with one of five core themes, including lifestyle and culture, emotion and heritage, or community and shared passion. This is the perfect opportunity for fans who prefer sharing their training routines or cheering rituals over memorizing stats.
After the submission period, World Athletics will select one finalist from each category. However, the ultimate winner of this phase will be decided by the community. A public vote will take place in August, allowing fans worldwide to choose the best content. The winner of this vote will join the two quiz champions as the third finalist traveling to Budapest.
Budapest, Bolt, and the Ultimate Fan Crown
The grand prize for the Ultimate Fan Challenge is an all-inclusive VIP package to the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, held from September 11–13, 2026. The prize includes airfare, luxury accommodation, and premium event tickets. The highlight of the trip, however, will be a private meeting with legendary sprinter and contest ambassador Usain Bolt.
Finalists won’t just be watching the world’s best athletes from the stands. In the heart of the Budapest stadium, they will compete in a final showdown to determine who will be officially crowned “The Ultimate Fan.” This event coincides with the new championship format, which exclusively features Olympic champions and Diamond League winners.
The Ultimate Fan Challenge is a unique chance for fans to become part of global sporting history. By launching this initiative, World Athletics aims to bring the competitive spirit of the track directly to the fan community. Registration is now open, and the first step toward meeting sporting legends begins today with the first knowledge quiz.
Get Started Today: The First 10 Questions Await
Head over to BeTheUltimateFan.com to sign up. Do you have what it takes to stand on the podium alongside the legends of track and field? Your road to Budapest starts with just ten questions.
