The World Athletics Championships are one of the most prestigious international track and field competitions, held every two years. With the top athletes from around the globe competing, it’s an exciting event that any fan of athletics will want to watch.
But with the championships taking place all over the world, you may be wondering what the best way is to tune in and follow the action. Here’s a guide on how you can watch the World Championships track and field events.
Television Coverage
One of the easiest ways to watch the World Championships is on TV. In the United States, NBC and NBC Sports Network will provide coverage of the championships. Typically, NBC will air primetime coverage on delay, while NBC Sports Network will show live coverage of the events throughout the day.
If you don’t have access to NBC through your cable or satellite provider, services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV carry NBC and allow you to watch the coverage through them. Be sure to check the channel listings to confirm NBC and NBC Sports Network are included in the package first.
Internationally, coverage will vary by country. Many major broadcasters like the BBC in the UK, CBC in Canada, Channel 7 in Australia, and Eurosport in Europe will provide television coverage. Check listings for your local broadcaster to find out more.
Live Streaming
In addition to television, there are also usually live streaming options to watch the World Championships. NBC Sports will stream all the action on their website and through the NBC Sports app. You will need to verify your TV provider credentials to access the live streams.
The World Athletics YouTube channel will provide free live streams of the World Championships for certain countries around the world. The streams are geo-restricted, so availability depends on your location. But it’s worth checking out the World Athletics YouTube channel for free live event coverage.
Some broadcasters like the BBC and CBC also offer their own live streams for those in their broadcast regions. Again, check with your local broadcaster to see if they provide a live stream option.
On-Demand Replays
If you miss watching the World Championships live, there are also on-demand options available. NBC Sports will have replays of events available after they air. Most streaming services and broadcasters like BBC and CBC will also have on-demand replays on their platforms.
YouTube is another good place to search for World Championship event highlights and replay videos. Fans often upload clips, race footage, and highlight compilation videos that allow you to catch up on anything you missed.
Follow Along Online
Can’t watch but still want to follow the action? The World Athletics website and social media accounts are great for keeping up with live results and news from the championships in real-time.
On the World Athletics website, you can check the schedule of events, current medal standings, results as they happen, breaking news, and athlete profiles. There is a dedicated section for World Championships coverage.
World Athletics is also very active on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube with regular updates from the championships. Following their accounts is an easy way to stay in the loop if you can’t watch a specific event or competition day live.
Attend In-Person
The most exciting way to experience the World Athletics Championships is to attend in-person. Tickets are usually available for purchase through the championship’s official website or authorized ticket resellers.
Here are the host cities and dates for upcoming World Athletics Championships:
Year | Host City | Dates |
---|---|---|
2023 | Budapest, Hungary | August 19-27 |
2025 | TBD | TBD |
If you can make it to the host city, attending World Championships events in-person is an unforgettable experience with an electric atmosphere. You’ll get to witness athletic greatness up-close.
Use a VPN
If you’re traveling abroad during the World Championships and geo-restrictions are blocking your access to coverage, using a VPN is a handy workaround. A VPN allows you to mask your location and bypass those restrictions.
Some top VPNs to try are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and PureVPN. Connect to a server in your home country, and you should be able to access live streams as if you were back home.
Listen on the Radio
Listening on the radio is an underrated way to follow along with the World Championships. Even if you can’t watch, radio provides lively commentary and real-time results.
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra often provides radio coverage of major athletics events like the World Championships. Or check if your local sports radio station is covering the action. Listening on radio while multitasking is an easy way to stay updated from anywhere.
Follow Media and Expert Coverage
Media members and experts on-site at the World Championships provide extensive coverage you can follow. Journalists will be reporting live with news, interviews, and features across various publications and websites like ESPN, FloTrack, NBC Sports, and more.
Athletic influencers, like commentators, former athletes, and coaches will also give behind-the-scenes analysis on social media and in podcasts. Following analysts like Ato Boldon or Tim Hutchings on Twitter can give you an insiders view.
Reading and listening to media coverage is very informative if you want more context around the major storylines and can’t access live event coverage.
Track and Field Live Blogs
Websites like Flotrack, Let’s Run, and the Track and Field News will have people providing live blogs and updates throughout the World Championships. These live blogs give real-time results, commentary, and insights as events unfold.
The live blogs compile all the key information, results, and analysis in one continuously updated feed. It’s easy to follow the action just by keeping these live blogs open and refreshed.
Conclusion
The World Athletics Championships bring together all the stars of track and field in one thrilling competition. With many viewing options across TV, streaming, social media, websites, radio, and in-person, there are lots of ways to tune in.
NBC and NBC Sports provide the best TV coverage in the US, while the World Athletics website and YouTube channel are great for online streaming. Live blogs, media coverage, radio broadcasts, and a VPN give you alternative ways to follow along. However you choose to watch, the World Championships deliver must-see entertainment for any track and field fan.