Athletics Kenya (AK) has unveiled its 2026 Track and Field calendar, offering athletes an extended and structured preparation period ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. This move marks the earliest start to a competitive season in recent years, with the first event scheduled for November 7-8, 2025, at the Mumias Sports Complex.
The 2026 season will consist of six key weekend meets, designed to provide both elite athletes and emerging talents with consistent opportunities to compete at a high level. Four of these events will be open to all athletes, while two exclusive invitational meets will bring together the top performers from across the country and invited international athletes.
The series kicks off with the first open meet in Mumias and includes subsequent competitions in Thika, Kapsabet, and Nakuru. These events will give athletes the chance to earn national rankings, secure qualification marks, and fine-tune their form ahead of more competitive challenges. The later premium meets in May 2026 will feature Kenya’s best and international competitors, replicating the intensity of championship races just before the Commonwealth Games.
Athletics Kenya has carefully crafted this schedule to allow for a progressive competition structure, transitioning athletes from regular meets to more intense, championship-style events. The federation aims to provide a platform for athletes to sharpen their skills and maintain peak performance throughout the season.
This calendar’s early release is also intended to give coaches and training camps sufficient time to plan athlete workloads, rest periods, and strategic peaks for major international competitions. By offering a longer buildup, Athletics Kenya hopes to gain a competitive edge at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and reassert Kenya’s dominance in global athletics.
With top-tier athletes like Faith Kipyegon, Ferdinand Omanyala, and other stars expected to headline the 2026 series, the nation is poised to field a strong squad across sprints, distances, hurdles, and throws. This extended season will ensure that Kenyan athletes are well-prepared for the global stage, with an increased focus on maintaining consistent, high-quality competition opportunities
