The inaugural Ultimate Championship took place in Budapest over three intense evenings, marking a new era for track and field. With a record $10 million prize pool, the event aimed to bring together the world's top athletes in a fast-paced, high-energy competition. Organized by World Athletics and led by its president, Lord Coe, the event was the result of three years of planning and was designed to be the season’s climactic highlight. Usain Bolt, the legendary sprinter and event ambassador, praised the initiative, calling it a "good first step" toward revitalizing the sport. He noted that athletes were enthusiastic about the event and that it had a unique, exciting atmosphere. British athlete Imani-Lara Lansiquot, a four-time relay medallist, said the event met expectations and provided a much-needed platform for athletes to be celebrated. The Ultimate Championship was created to address ongoing challenges in athletics, such as keeping fans engaged between major events like the Olympics and ensuring top athletes compete against each other more regularly. The event featured shorter, more intense sessions, with athletes vying for global titles and substantial prize money. To enhance the viewing experience, organizers introduced several innovations, including a black-painted infield, a pink sandpit for horizontal jumps, and a new trophy ceremony with sparklers and music. For television audiences, new elements like athlete headshots, win probabilities, and projected finishing positions were added to make the event more interactive and engaging. Despite its success, the event faced some criticism. Certain track and field events, such as the 3,000m steeplechase, 10,000m, and field events like shot put and discus, were excluded. World Athletics decided which events to include based on data such as viewer pulse rates and sweat responses. British long jumper Jazmin Sawyers pointed out that some field events were overlooked, but she acknowledged the event's excitement and suggested it could complement traditional championships. She also proposed that allowing all eight athletes to compete in all four jumps would make the long jump more compelling. World Athletics president Lord Coe emphasized that the event's format was not set in stone and that future editions could feature slight changes. The Ultimate Championship will be held again in 2028, following the Olympics. Former Olympic heptathlon champion Denise Lewis praised the event for offering something new but noted that the future of the global athletics calendar remains uncertain. British 1500m champion Josh Kerr, who won the first Ultimate title in his event, supported the initiative and highlighted the increased prize money. He also suggested that allowing athletes to wear their own brands instead of national uniforms could further enhance the event's appeal.