As the IAAF Diamond League heads into its 10th year, the future of the series from 2020 onwards has been under review. Today the IAAF Council approved the core principles set out and agreed by the Diamond League Board and meeting directors at their General Assembly two weeks ago
Changes to format
From 2020 onwards, IAAF Diamond League will include the very best 12 meetings, leading to a single final at the end of the season. 24 disciplines (12 male and 12 female) will run across the 12 meetings and the final, with the longest discipline being the 3000m. Each meeting will be broadcast globally in a faster-paced 90-minute television event which will link the events and the athletes’ points so fans can more readily follow the road to a single final at the end of the season.
The changes are the result of a year-long review, which included detailed research and discussions with athletes, coaches, fans and broadcasters. The new series aims to provide athletes with the chance to compete in a high-quality international circuit of the world’s best one-day meetings. It also promises a more consistent, action packed format for broadcasters and gives fans a persuasive reason to come back to the sport week in and week out to follow the star athletes as they gain points to qualify for an exciting end of season final.
“The IAAF Diamond League is the way millions of sports fans engage with athletics on a top level every year. It is a strong circuit that is celebrating its 10th year but we can make it even stronger and more relevant to the world our athletes and our fans live in today,” said IAAF President Sebastian Coe
Further refinement of the disciplines, the meetings, the points structure and the single final will be agreed in the course of 2019.
Wider goals
Beyond changes to the competition format, the new-look series will also:
• Focus on innovation around out-of-stadium / city centre field events where fans can get closer to the action.
• Work with our Rights Holding and Host Broadcasters on a faster paced 90-minute television event that will link the 12 events and the athlete’s points so fans can more easily follow the road to a single final at the end of the season.
• Review the World Rankings process and reformed Global Calendar to support and protect the circuit so that the world’s top athletes have the incentive to compete more regularly which we know our fans want more than anything else.
• Create a tiered prize money system that provides more reward for athletes and greater clarity on potential earnings across the season.
• Compensate relegated Meetings and integrate them into the Continental Circuit of one day meetings.
• A greater focus on digital content for athletes and fans to create an even stronger connection between the two.
• Ensure the Diamond League captures the very best athletes in exciting head to head clashes
