The grand ceremony of the 24th African Athletics Championship starts today, as more than 1,500 athletes representing 54 countries are prepared to fight for victory at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, Legon, Ghana.
The multisport athletics championship organized by the Confederation of African Athletics is set to run for 6 days, from May 12 to May 17, 2026, aimed at being one of the most entertaining sports events on the continent before the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
While sprinters, middle-distance racers, and field athletes prepare for the big showdown, many fans have begun looking forward to the coming championship.
Complete Accra 2026 Schedule
Important Dates
- Teams’ and officials’ arrival – May 10, 2026
- Technical Meeting – May 11, 2026
- Competition dates: May 12 to May 17, 2026
- Departure of delegations: May 18, 2026
Notable Events Day 1 (May 12)
Highlights of the first day include:
- Decathlon 100m races
- Sprints for men and women
- 400m hurdles preliminary races
- Shot Put finals
- Heats for a 400m race
Throughout the week, spectators will get to see:
- 52 athletic disciplines events
- Mixed relays
- Races in long-distance running
- Sprint finals for prominent athletes
- Field events in various categories
The complete competition schedule can be found on the website of CAA.
Stars to Watch at the Championships in Accra
The event will bring several top African athletics stars together.
Sprinters
- Akani Simbine
- Joseph Fahnbulleh
- Benjamin Azamati
- Saminu Abdul-Rashid
Distance & Middle-Distance Runners
- Faith Kipyegon
- Beatrice Chebet
- Field & Hurdles
- Tobi Amusan
- Muzala Samukonga
- Collen Kebinatshipi
A delegation of refugee athletes will be featured among other prominent athletes.
Championships Ticket Information
Fans attending the championships at the University of Ghana Sports Complex in Legon can buy tickets ahead of time online.
Where to Buy the Tickets
Tickets will be sold at GTM Tickets.
Organizers are recommending fans to book their tickets as soon as possible due to expected high demand during the sprint finals and evening events.
Discover More Insights
Why South Africa Faces Record Joblessness?
Explore how South Africa’s unemployment crisis is hitting record highs and what it means for the country’s economic future.
Why Ghana Youth Reject Free Rice?
Discover why Ghana’s youth are rejecting aid and demanding sustainable job opportunities instead.
Which Freelancing Platforms Work Best Africa?
Check the top freelancing platforms offering real income opportunities for Africans in 2026.
Why Africa’s Middle Class Still Struggles?
Explore how economic growth is failing to deliver stability for Africa’s expanding middle class.
How Nigerians Can Earn Dollars Online?
Discover practical ways Nigerians are earning in dollars and boosting their income in today’s digital economy.
How to Watch & Stream the African Championships Live
In case you’re unable to join in-person, there are multiple ways of watching and streaming the event.
Official Live Stream
The championships will stream live on CAA Web TV.
TV Coverage
Ghanaian fans can also watch live coverage on TV3 Ghana.
Social Media & Highlights
- Instagram posts by Athletics Hour Instagram
- YouTube live streams and highlights every day
Why Accra 2026 Is Important
The championships are being seen as a crucial test event for future international events like the Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships.
For Ghana, hosting the premier African athletics event is a huge milestone towards establishing Accra as a top African sports hub.
Given that there are Olympic finalists, world champions, and up-and-coming African athletes competing in Legon, the 2026 African Athletics Championships will likely witness some of the best performances of the year.
