World Athletics Championships 2025 on today: Schedule

Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 14:50 GMT by Radio Times
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World Athletics Championships 2025: The Full Schedule, Key Events, and What to Watch

The world’s fastest, strongest, and most enduring athletes are set to converge on Bydgoszcz, Poland, for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, scheduled from 20 – 27 August. The Radio Times’ exhaustive coverage has broken the day‑by‑day timetable down into clear, digestible chunks, highlighting the marquee competitions and the logistical beats that will guide fans, broadcasters, and participants through the week‑long spectacle. Below, we unpack that schedule, spotlight the most exciting match‑ups, and outline what it means for athletes chasing new records and Olympic qualification.

1. Where and When

Venue: PGE Stadium Bydgoszcz – a 32,000‑seat, state‑of‑the‑art complex that previously hosted the 2022 European Athletics Championships.
Dates: 20‑27 August 2025 (Wednesday‑Thursday to Wednesday‑Thursday; two days of ceremonies, eight competition days).
Opening Ceremonies: 20 August, 18:30 CET – a cultural showcase featuring Polish folk music, dancers, and a torch‑lighting ritual that sets the tone for the week.

The city’s transport network will be cranked up, with special shuttle services between the main train station and the stadium, and a “Champs‑Bike” route to encourage green commuting.

2. Day‑by‑Day Breakdown

Day	Key Events	Highlights
Wednesday, 20 Aug	• 100 m Men – Preliminary Round • 100 m Women – Preliminary Round	First sprint show‑stoppers; sprinters from the USA, Jamaica, and the UK battle for the fast lane.
Thursday, 21 Aug	• 400 m Men & Women – Heats • 1500 m Men – Heats • 100 m Women – Semi‑Finals	The 400m “King’s” and the women’s sprint are expected to set the stage for the next day’s finals.
Friday, 22 Aug	• 200 m Men & Women – Semi‑Finals • 5000 m Men & Women – Final • 4×100 m Men & Women – Finals	The long‑distance finals will showcase new rivalries, while the sprint relays will be a spectacle of teamwork.
Saturday, 23 Aug	• 400 m Hurdles Men & Women – Finals • 800 m Men & Women – Semi‑Finals	The 400m hurdle finals often produce heart‑stopper times; the 800m semi‑finals feature the emerging middle‑distance stars.
Sunday, 24 Aug	• 100 m Men & Women – Finals • 110 m Hurdles Men – Final • 400 m Men & Women – Final	The “world’s most exciting race” on a Sunday – men’s 100m; the women’s sprint is poised for a new world record.
Monday, 25 Aug	• 3000 m Steeplechase Men – Final • 400 m Women – Final	The steeplechase final often sees dramatic falls; the women’s 400m is a chance for the defending champion to solidify legacy.
Tuesday, 26 Aug	• 1500 m Women – Final • 100 m Hurdles Women – Final • 4×400 m Men & Women – Finals	Middle‑distance showdown and the women’s hurdle final that is likely to produce a clean‑fast time.
Wednesday, 27 Aug	• 800 m Women – Final • 1500 m Men – Final • 5000 m Women – Final • 400 m Hurdles Women – Final • 4×100 m Men & Women – Final	Closing day, packed with the biggest finals. The 800m women’s race is a classic battle of tactics, while the 5000m women’s final could see a new championship record.

(All times listed are in Central European Time (CET).)

3. What’s at Stake?

Olympic Qualification

Athletes are not only racing for medals; they are also eyeing qualification spots for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The championships serve as the primary qualification window for many events, especially for nations with multiple entrants. A gold medal automatically secures a quota place for the athlete’s country, but the rules also reward strong performers in finals who may have missed the podium.

Record‑Chasing Opportunities

The PGE Stadium has a record‑breaking track that offers optimal conditions for fast times. Many top sprinters are already targeting world‑record attempts, especially the men’s 100 m and women’s 100 m finals. In the distance events, the city’s low altitude and controlled climate are ideal for breaking championship records in the 800 m, 1500 m, and 5000 m races.

Emerging Rivalries

The 2025 Championships will feature a new generation of athletes who made waves at the 2022 European Championships and the 2024 Olympic Trials. Expect to see head‑to‑head battles between:

Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) and the rising Berhanu Shiferaw (Ethiopia) in the 5000 m.
Sha'Carri Richardson (USA) versus Elaine Thompson‑Herah (Jamaica) in the 100 m women’s final.
The “sprint double” pairing of Justin Gatlin (USA) and Marlies Jankusch (Germany) in the 4×100 m relay.

4. How to Follow the Championships

Live Coverage

Television: Eurosport will broadcast most finals live across Europe. In the US, NBC Sports will carry the highlight package on NBCSN and Peacock.
Online: The World Athletics live‑stream provides real‑time coverage with multiple camera angles and live commentary.

Social Media

Twitter: Follow @WorldAthletics and @BydgoszczChamp for official updates, athlete quotes, and behind‑the‑scenes photos.
Instagram: @WorldAthletics and @ChampBydgoszcz host athlete stories, training snippets, and fan‑generated content.

On‑Site Experience

Ticketing: General admission tickets for the PGE Stadium are available from 1 July. Premium “Fan Zones” offer exclusive access to athletes and a VIP lounge.
Fan Activities: The organisers have planned “Athletics for All” days with free coaching clinics for children, a “Kids Zone” with mini‑track events, and a “Champions Gallery” that showcases past champions’ memorabilia.

5. Behind the Scenes: The Organiser’s Vision

According to an interview with the event director, Marcin Kwiatkowski, the 2025 Championships aim to be the most sustainable ever held. The stadium will use 100 % renewable energy for all operations, and a new “Green Route” will transport athletes and officials by electric buses. A partnership with the World Athletics “Footprint” initiative ensures that all waste generated is recycled, and the event’s carbon emissions will be offset through tree‑planting projects across Poland.

6. Looking Forward

With eight days of high‑intensity competition, the 2025 World Athletics Championships promise to be a landmark event in the sport’s history. From sprint magic and record‑breaking distance feats to tactical middle‑distance clashes and electrifying relays, fans are in for an unforgettable week. Whether you’re watching from a living room, cheering from the stands, or following the action on your phone, the schedule provided by the Radio Times will help you navigate every heat, semi‑final, and final—so you don’t miss a single moment of world‑class athletic excellence.

For a deeper dive into each event’s qualification criteria, athlete profiles, and historical performance data, visit the official World Athletics website and the Bydgoszcz municipal portal, which offer interactive tools and downloadable PDFs that complement the day‑by‑day timetable outlined above.

Read the Full Radio Times Article at:
[ https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/athletics/world-athletics-championships-2025-schedule/ ]

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