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The lineup for the 2026 Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix is already stunning, and the newly announced names elevate expectations to an even higher level. This time, the organizers announced further participants for the men’s 100 and 800 meters, the women’s 400 meters hurdles, as well as the women’s high jump and pole vault. The list features Olympic champions, World champions, and several Hungarian competitors.

The men’s 100 meters field is spearheaded by South Africa’s Akani Simbine. The meeting record holder of the Gyulai István Memorial has run under 10 seconds in the 100 meters for the twelfth consecutive year, which is a unique achievement in the history of the sport. Joining him in Budapest will be American Ronnie Baker, World champion in the 4×100 meters relay; Cameroon’s African champion, Emmanuel Eseme; and Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi, the African indoor record holder in the 60 meters and fresh NCAA champion.

Hungarian fans will be able to cheer for Dominik Illovszky. The Hungarian record holder in the 60 meters finished 13th at both of the last two World Athletics Indoor Championships and can prove himself once again in a prestigious international field on home soil.

The men’s 800 meters field will also be world-class. Taking to the track will be Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, one of the event’s biggest stars, who is a two-time World Championship silver medalist and Olympic bronze medalist. His opponents include World Indoor champion Bryce Hoppel from the United States, European champion Gabriel Tual from France, and last year’s Gyulai Memorial winner, Laban Kipkorir Chepkwony from Kenya. Strengthening the already powerful field are Handal Roban from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the European champion and two-time World Indoor champion Mariano Garcia from Spain.

The audience will also have a Hungarian competitor to root for in this event: János Kubasi, the 2025 Hungarian champion, can line up in one of the strongest fields of his career.

The women’s 400 meters hurdles field is virtually equivalent to a World Championship final. Alongside World silver medalist Jasmine Jones and World bronze medalist Emma Zapletalová, the field features two-time World bronze medalist Rushell Clayton from Jamaica, as well as NACAC champion Shiann Salmon, also from Jamaica. Hungarian athletics will be represented by Universiade bronze medalist Sára Mátó and U20 European Championship finalist Petra Lalik.

The women’s jumping events also line up a succession of Olympic and World Championship medalists. In the high jump, World champion and Olympic bronze medalist Eleanor Patterson, alongside Paris Olympics bronze medalist Iryna Gerashchenko, join the previously announced stars.

In the pole vault, the arrival of Olympic and World champion Nina Kennedy represents another massive boost.

A full house – just like last year – is guaranteed in the stadium stands – it is worth staying alert – Tickets can be purchased on this Eventim platform. For member clubs of the Hungarian Athletics Association, tickets can be purchased with a 10% discount; to do this, request the code from the head of the member club.

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

Men: 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m, 3000 m, 110 m hurdles, 400 m hurdles, pole vault, long jump, shot put, hammer throw

Women: 100 m, 200 m, 1500 m, 100 m hurdles, 400 m hurdles, high jump, pole vault, long jump