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The countdown is officially on for the 2026 Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix, with the first wave of blockbuster star announcements dropping this Thursday at noon. The Budapest-based showpiece has unveiled an elite lineup across four disciplines, stacked with reigning Olympic champions, global titleholders, and the absolute powerhouses of track and field.

Headlining the men’s long jump field is none other than Greece’s flying sensation, Miltiadis Tentoglou. The two-time Olympic and World Champion stands as one of the most prolific and dominant jumpers of recent times, boasting a monstrous personal best of 8.65 meters. Tentoglou rolls into Budapest as the heavy favorite for gold and is guaranteed to be an absolute crowd-pleaser on the runway.

The men’s hammer throw is shaping up to be a spectacular clash of titans. Leading the charge is Canada’s Ethan Katzberg, the reigning Paris Olympic Champion and two-time World Champion, who currently rules the discipline. He will be pushed to the limit by Germany’s Merlin Hummel, the silver medalist from the 2025 World Championships, and Ukraine’s Mykhaylo Kokhan, an Olympic bronze medalist and multiple-time Gyulai Memorial winner who always shines in the Hungarian capital.

This discipline promises high-octane thrills for the home crowd as Hungarian superstar Bence Halász steps into the throwing circle against the world’s best. The Olympic silver medalist and three-time World Championship bronze medalist is primed to unleash a massive performance in front of a passionate home audience. Joining him are rising star Dániel Rába, fresh off an impressive 11th-place finish at the World Championships, and the phenomenal U20 European Champion Ármin Szabados, who is set to gain invaluable experience battling the international elite.

In the women’s high jump, Australia’s world-conquering Nicola Olyslagers headlines the stellar lineup. The two-time Olympic silver medalist has been a force of nature at the pinnacle of global athletics for years and is locked in to play a starring role in Budapest. This event also offers a dream opportunity for one of Hungary’s brightest prospects, Lilianna Bátori – who captured the U20 European title last year – to test her mettle directly against one of the sport’s biggest icons.

The women’s pole vault field promises to deliver elite-level drama. Budapest welcomes Slovenia’s Tina Šutej, the dual silver medalist from both the 2025 World Championships and World Indoor Championships, alongside France’s reigning World Indoor Champion, Marie-Julie Bonnin. Adding further fire to the competition is Czech standout Amálie Švábíková, who placed fourth at the 2025 Outdoor World Championships, and Brazil’s premier vaulter Juliana De Menis Campos, one of South America’s absolute best. The star-studded lineup is reinforced by New Zealand’s Imogen Ayris, bronze medalist at the 2025 World Indoor Championships. Flying the flag for the host nation is Hungary’s own national record holder and Olympian, Hanga Klekner, who is ready to square off once again with the world’s elite.

Thanks to the stellar efforts and tireless work of Sports Director Attila Spiriev and Organizing Committee Chairman Péter Deutsch, fans can expect fresh waves of global superstars to be announced every Thursday at 12:00 PM over the coming weeks. Everything indicates that the 2026 Gyulai István Memorial will live up to its prestigious reputation, bringing the crème de la crème of global track and field face-to-face with the electric Budapest crowd!

A packed stadium is absolutely guaranteed – just like last year – with more than 4,000 tickets already snapped up! Don’t miss out on the action, stay sharp and secure your tickets right now via the Eventim platform.

16th Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix, Budapest – Events

Men: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 110m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, Pole Vault, Long Jump, Shot Put, Hammer Throw

Women: 100m, 200m, 1500m, 100m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, High Jump, Pole Vault, Long Jump