Rule and Regulation Updates for Coaches – 2025/26 Season

As we approach the 2025–26 season, coaches should take note of a number of rule and regulation updates being introduced by World Athletics. While there are no sweeping changes expected this cycle, several adjustments to competition formats, equipment specifications and event regulations will have an impact at both national and grassroots levels.

Staying across these updates will ensure your athletes remain eligible, prepared and competitive in the season ahead.

Preliminary Qualifying Rounds

From 2026, the Australian Athletics Open Championships will expand the use of preliminary qualifying rounds to include:

• 100 metres

• 20 metres

• 400 metres

• 400 metre hurdles

• 800 metres

Purpose and benefits:

• Ensures the top 15 seeded athletes in each event have clarity on when they first compete.

• Opens the door for easing entry standards, encouraging broader participation.

• Builds on the success seen in the short sprints, where more athletes have been engaged at the national level.

Note: At this stage, short hurdles are excluded due to insufficient entry numbers.

700g Javelin Specification Enforcement

Effective 1 November 2025, only the new specification 700g javelins will be permitted in competition. This applies to:

• U18 male athletes

• Masters divisions

Athletes have had the option to transition early, and combined eventers have generally preferred the new model for its more reliable landing characteristics.

Race Walking Distance Changes

From next year:

• The 20km walk will become a half marathon distance.

• 35km and 50km events are replaced with a marathon distance.

This aims to improve relatability for wider audiences and align more clearly with common endurance benchmarks.

Race Walking Rules Overhaul

Expect a formal codification of race walking rules. Current practices that have been widely understood by officials and coaches, but absent from the rulebook, will now be documented properly.

Sprint Event Lane Draw Clarification

Rules will be adjusted to clearly define lane draws for both 8-lane and 9-lane tracks, removing existing ambiguities.

Footwear Regulations

• Current shoe specifications (introduced 1 November 2024) are now in force.

• No further major changes are expected until November 2027, due to the agreed three-year revision cycle.

Long and Triple Jump ‘Take-off Zone’

World Athletics’ trial of an undefined take-off zone in long and triple jump events is unlikely to repace the take-off board in Australian and major international competition. Feedback indicates it undermines the technical skill and integrity of the events.

General Rule Update Cycle

As 2025 is a formal rule change year:

• World Athletics Council will ratify all changes during the World Championships period (September 2025).

• New rules take effect 1 November 2025.