Diamond League introduces new prize money structure for 2025

As well as an increase in prize money, there will be new Diamond+ disciplines with even greater financial incentives

The 2025 Diamond League is adopting a brand new financial structure, with athletes getting the opportunity to secure more prize money than in previous years.

In most Diamond League disciplines, athletes will win up to $10,000 at individual meets and then $30,000 at the final in Zurich.

However, there will now be a select number of events where athletes can gain even more prize money.

These will be through Diamond+ disciplines, with athletes receiving up to $20,000 at a series meeting and then $50,000 in the final.

There will be four – two male and two female – Diamond+ disciplines in each meeting and eight – four male and four female – in Zurich. Each meeting will announce their Diamond+ disciplines in the first half of 2025.

Next year’s Diamond League season features 15 meets across four continents and 13 countries.

The 2025 season kicks off in Xiamen on April 26 and the Diamond League remains in China for Shanghai/Suzhou on May 3.

After that is Doha and Rabat before the European leg of the season kicks off in Rome on June 6.

Meets in Oslo, Stockholm and Paris follow before athletes fly to Oregon for Pre Classic on July 5.

Over the following fortnight, they will then compete in Monaco and London before a break takes place at the start of August.

Matt Hudson-Smith (Getty)

The Diamond League returns with Silesia on August 16 and then it’s Lausanne and Brussels before the big showdown in Zürich.

With next year’s World Championships taking place in Tokyo in September (13-21), Weltklasse Zürich will essentially be the final opportunity for athletes to hone their craft before travelling to Japan.

Including promotional fees, a total of around $18 million will be paid to athletes in total over the course of next year’s Diamond League season.

For comparison, Grand Slam Track – Michael Johnson’s new track league that debuts in April 2025 – will give out $262.5k in prize money at each of its respective four meets, with winners taking home $100,000.

Faith Kipyegon (Athlos)

The recent Athlos meet in New York City, created by the co-founder of Reddit Alexis Ohanian, saw $110.5k awarded across six women’s track events, with those victorious pocketing $60,000.

World Athletics will also debut its Ultimate Championships in September 2026, with $10 million in prize money on offer and winners securing $150,000.