Track And Field News

NYC Hosts Star-Powered Off-Year USATF Outdoor Championships

New York's Icahn Stadium hosts the 2026 USATF Outdoor Championships—the first time the meet is in NYC since 1991 and the first off-year edition since 2018—with a star-studded yet unpredictable slate as athletes chase national titles rather than World/Olympic spots. Highlights include 17-year-old Cooper Lutkenhaus challenging defending 800m champion Donavan Brazier; Nikki Hiltz pursuing an 800/1500 double; Parker Valby aiming for her first US title in the 5000 with Emma Coburn in the steeple; and marquee sprints featuring Noah Lyles vs Kenny Bednarek, plus other sprint stars. NBC will air six hours of live coverage (Saturday 2-6 p.m. ET, Sunday 4-6 p.m. ET) with the rest streamed on USATF.tv/Peacock, as the meet delivers deep storylines even with several top athletes opting out this year.