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New global stars have been added to the field of the Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix.

Following the previous two announcements, more world-class fields have been finalized for the 2026 Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix. This time, the international elite for middle- and long-distance running, the 400m hurdles, and the men’s long jump has expanded for the Budapest event, while several Hungarian athletes will also get the chance to test their skills against the world’s best in front of a home crowd.

The men’s 1500m flat race field promises to be incredibly strong. Taking to the starting line will be Kenya’s Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech, who clocked a U20 world record last year, alongside his compatriot Reynold Cheruiyot, the bronze medalist from the 2025 World Championships. The elite field will also include Great Britain’s Neil Gourley, who claimed a World Indoor Championship silver medal this year. Hungarian colors will be represented in this event by István Szögi. The European Indoor Championship finalist has proven multiple times in recent years that he belongs among Europe’s best, and in Budapest, he receives another opportunity to compete in a world-class field.

A major international battle is also expected in the men’s 3000m. Returning to action is defending champion Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang of Kenya, who won the Gyulai István Memorial last year. Also in the field will be Norway’s Narve Nordås, the 2023 World Championship bronze medalist, and Mexico’s Eduardo Herrera, who finished in second place in Budapest in both of the past two years. The Hungarian competitor in this event will be István Palkovits. The Hungarian record holder in the 3000m can line up in one of the strongest fields of his career, allowing him to gauge his form against the international elite in front of the home fans.

Several outstanding athletes are arriving in Budapest for the women’s 1500m flat race as well. Australia’s Abbey Caldwell currently ranks among the elite on this year’s world list, while her compatriot, Georgia Griffith, returns to Hungary as a World Indoor Championship bronze medalist and last year’s Gyulai Memorial winner. Portugal’s Salomé Afonso arrives at the event as a fresh European record holder, and the field will also feature the equally superb American runner, Heather MacLean.

In the 400m hurdles, the most prominent figure in the field will be Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba – the two-time World Championship bronze medalist has been a defining force in the international elite of the event for many years. His challengers will include America’s Trevor Bassitt, who is a World Championship bronze medalist individually and a two-time World Champion with the 4x400m relay, as well as US national champion CJ Allen and Brazil’s Matheus Lima.

The men’s long jump field will be equally world-class. One of the biggest stars of the event, Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou – the two-time Olympic champion, World champion, and multiple European champion – had his participation at the Budapest meet announced two weeks ago. The Greek icon has now been assigned rivals: his biggest competitors will include Jamaican stars Tajay Gayle (World champion) and Wayne Pinnock (Olympic silver medalist jumpers), alongside Sweden’s Thobias Montler, America’s Nikaoli Williams, and Spain’s Lester Lescay. Hungarian fans will also have the chance to cheer for Kristóf Pap. For the multiple Hungarian champion long jumper, competing against the world’s most successful jumpers on home turf will be an exceptional opportunity.

Star announcements will continue over the coming weeks, so the names of additional Olympic and World champion athletes are expected to be revealed. Based on the already known line-up, however, it can be stated that the 2026 Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix will once again be a standout stop of the international athletics season, where the Hungarian audience can see the sport’s biggest stars up close.

A full house is guaranteed in the stadium stands – just like last year – so it’s worth staying alert! Tickets can be purchased via this 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