Athletissima, the Lausanne Diamond League, is one of the longest running meetings on the international athletics circuit. The 2026 edition takes place on Friday 21 August at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne, Switzerland, and forms part of the final push toward the Diamond League Final.
What is the Lausanne Diamond League?
Athletissima is a one-day track and field meeting on the 2026 Wanda Diamond League circuit, the elite World Athletics one-day series. At each meeting, athletes compete for prize money and Diamond League points, with the highest point-scorers across the season earning a place at the Diamond League Final.
Athletissima has been held in Lausanne every year since 1977, making it one of the oldest top-tier athletics meetings in Europe. It joined the Diamond League when the series launched in 2010 and has remained a permanent fixture on the calendar ever since, regularly ranked among the best meetings of the season.
When is the Lausanne Diamond League?
The 2026 Lausanne Diamond League takes place on Friday 21 August 2026. The main programme is held in the evening local time, with the headline events scheduled in the final hour of competition. Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) places the meeting in the early evening UK time and early afternoon US Eastern time.
Where is the Lausanne Diamond League?
The meeting is held at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, on the Route des Plaines-du-Loup in Lausanne. The stadium has a capacity of around 15,000 for athletics and sits in the north of the city, close to the International Olympic Committee headquarters. The track is one of the fastest in Europe and has been the venue for Athletissima throughout its history.
Key Contenders
Athletissima typically features elite sprint, middle distance and field event line-ups. In 2026, with the meeting falling late in the outdoor season, athletes fighting for final Diamond League points and qualification spots to the Diamond League Final are expected to headline. Lausanne has a particular reputation for high-quality 400m, 100m hurdles and pole vault competitions.
The meeting often coincides with late-summer form runs for athletes heading into the end of the World Athletics calendar, and multiple Olympic and world champions typically appear on the start list.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, Athletissima is broadcast live on BBC Sport, with coverage available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. In the United States, the meeting streams on FloTrack via subscription. In Switzerland, it is shown on SRF and RTS. The Wanda Diamond League distributes the meeting to more than 170 countries through its broadcast partners, and highlights are posted to the Diamond League YouTube channel after the meeting.
History and Records
Athletissima’s long history has produced world records, including Yulimar Rojas’s triple jump world record in 2021 and historic sprint performances from Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell in earlier editions. The meeting has long been associated with record-chasing programmes and has featured 17 confirmed events on the 2026 programme, announced by organisers in advance of the season.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for Athletissima Lausanne are available via the official meeting website at athletissima.ch. Categories range from general admission through to premium trackside and hospitality, with family packages typically offered. The meeting regularly sells out its trackside seats and draws a full crowd to La Pontaise.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Lausanne Diamond League start?
The meeting takes place on Friday 21 August 2026, with the main session held in the evening local time.
Where is Athletissima being held?
At the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne, Switzerland.
How can I watch Athletissima Lausanne?
Live on BBC Sport in the UK, FloTrack in the US and SRF/RTS in Switzerland, with worldwide distribution via Diamond League broadcast partners.
How long has Athletissima been running?
Athletissima has been held in Lausanne every year since 1977 and joined the Diamond League at its launch in 2010.