Indian Athletics Calendar 2026: Complete 40 Events, Dates and Venues

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has released its annual competition calendar for 2026, expanding from 32 to 40 events to bolster preparations for the Asian Games in Japan and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. This ambitious schedule introduces inaugural indoor championships, an upgraded World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet, and a 16-part regional series to boost grassroots participation nationwide. Athletes face stricter qualification norms, requiring multiple prior competitions for major nationals, signalling a push for deeper talent pools and peak performance.

Indian Athletics Calendar 2026

60th National Cross Country Championships:

National Indoor Athletics Championships (inaugural):

Apr 4, Bengaluru; Leg 2: Apr 11, Udaipur; Leg 3: Apr 11, Sangrur.​

24th National Junior Federation Cup:

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29th National Senior Federation Cup:

May 22-25, Ranchi (2 prior events req.).​

Indian Indoor Open Combined/Pole Vault:

May 26-Jun 5 & Jun 21-30, various.​

Full Event Breakdown by Phase

Ranchi (May), Chennai (May), Guwahati (Jun 6), Pune (Jun 7), Ludhiana (Jun 13), Trivandrum (Jun 14), Kolkata (Jun 20).​

65th National Inter-State Senior:

January-March (Season Openers)

Jul 8-12, Bhubaneswar (3 prior events; key qualifier).​

Aug 7, all districts (Neeraj Chopra tribute).​

April-June (Series Launch and Nationals)

World Athletics Continental Tour Silver:

Nadiad (Jun 21), Warangal (Aug 14), Panchkula (Aug 16), Shillong (Aug 29), Bengaluru (Sep 5).​

July-September (Peak and Grassroots)

Sep (Dehradun, Puducherry, Shillong, Patna, Goa, Indore).​

Indian Athletics Series Final (Invitational):

Official broadcast and ticketing information for AFI’s 2026 athletics events has not yet been announced. Fans should monitor indianathletics.in and official AFI social media handles for updates on live broadcast partners, streaming platforms, ticketing details, venue access, entry guidelines, and any event-specific spectator advisories as competition dates approach.

1. •
   Who is the president of the Athletics Federation of India?

As of January 2026, the President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is Mr. Bahadur Singh Sagoo. He was elected unopposed in January 2025 and is serving a four-year term from 2025 to 2029. A former Asian Games gold medallist in shot put (2002 Busan) and two-time Olympian, he succeeded Adille Sumariwalla, who had led the federation since 2019.

1. •
   How will athletes be selected for the 2026 Asian and Commonwealth Games?

Selection will prioritise consistent performance across multiple domestic events in 2026, as confirmed by national coach P. Radhakrishnan Nair, emphasising year-round participation over single-meet results.

1. •
   What are the eligibility requirements for national championships in 2026?

Athletes must compete in a minimum number of AFI-sanctioned events to qualify: at least two for the Senior Federation Championships and at least three for the Inter-State Senior Championships.

1. •
   When does the 2026 Indian athletics season begin?

The season kicks off on January 24, 2026, with the 60th National Cross-Country Championships in Ranchi, Jharkhand.