The World Relay Championships begin Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Estadio Nacional de Botsuana in Gaborone, Botswana [1], [2].

This event marks a significant milestone for the sport as it is the first time the World Relay Championships will be held in an African country [1]. The shift in venue highlights the growing global reach of elite athletics and the increasing capacity of African nations to host major international sporting events.

The competition will run through Sunday, May 3, 2026 [1]. Athletes from around the globe will gather in Gaborone to compete in various relay disciplines, testing both individual speed and team coordination.

Brazilian relay teams have already begun their preparations for the event [1]. The Brazilian athletes are focusing on synchronization and timing to compete against the world's top sprinting nations in Gaborone.

Broadcasting for the event includes coverage from TVN Chile, which will provide live updates and streaming for viewers [2]. The international broadcast ensures that the historic first African hosting of the championships reaches a global audience.

The Estadio Nacional de Botsuana serves as the primary venue for the two-day meet [2]. Organizers have prepared the facility to meet international standards for relay racing, ensuring a fair environment for all competing nations.

“the first time the World Relay Championships will be held in an African country”

The selection of Botswana as the host city signals a strategic expansion of the World Relay Championships' geographic footprint. By moving the event to Africa for the first time, the organizing bodies are acknowledging the continent's importance to the sport of athletics and attempting to stimulate local interest and infrastructure development in Gaborone.