Michael Johnson has cancelled the final leg of the Grand Slam Track series, which was scheduled to take place in Los Angeles at the end of June. The abrupt decision, made ahead of an emergency meeting with athletes, leaves Los Angeles the host city of the 2028 Olympics without a major track and field event this summer.
The Grand Slam Track series, launched earlier this year with significant investment, aimed to revolutionize the sport by shifting the focus from times to finishing positions. Athletes competed twice over a weekend, under contract, in a more entertainment-driven format. The series had already hosted successful events in Kingston, Jamaica; Miami; and Philadelphia. High-profile athletes such as Olympic champions Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas were involved, though some big names, including Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles, opted out.
The Los Angeles event, which was set to take place at Drake Stadium, was projected to bring in around $3 million, with the series as a whole having raised nearly $9.5 million in revenue from the earlier legs. Bonuses for season-long category winners were also on the table. The cancellation is a significant blow, particularly because another major event—the LA Grand Prix was also recently pulled from the calendar by USA Track and Field.
The decision to cancel the Grand Slam Track finale reportedly stemmed from economic issues related to the venue, though details remain confidential. Organizers are now shifting focus to 2026, with announcements of new investors expected in the coming days. The immediate priority is an internal meeting with the athletes, many of whom were depending on the LA meet to either secure qualifying standards or collect ranking points needed for the upcoming World Championships.
This development underlines the broader challenges facing track and field in the United States. Despite its rich history and star-studded talent pool, the sport has struggled to maintain a consistent and financially viable event calendar. The short-term scheduling conflict in LA, where two elite meets were planned within weeks of each other, underscores the lack of coordination among stakeholders.
Looking ahead, governing bodies are expected to meet this summer to lay out a more collaborative roadmap for the sport. The cancellation serves as a reminder of the financial fragility of track events, even in key markets. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, there is growing pressure to establish a more sustainable model for the sport, one that combines athlete needs, fan engagement, and long-term investment strategies.
