World Athletics has released its approved qualification system for the 2027 world championships in Beijing.
The World Athletics Council said on Tuesday that it determined the standards based on world rankings and entry standards and 40 percent of would-be participants will need entry standards to qualify while 60 percent will use their rankings.
World rankings now place more weight on the results score and less on the placing score, with the aim for and even playing field for athletes with limited access to high-ranking competitions.
“The approach is designed to ensure that the World Championships continue to bring together the world’s leading athletes across all disciplines, while recognizing both exceptional single performances and consistent high-level competition across the qualification period,” a notice explaining the system said.
Meanwhile, the qualifying window for the marathon includes races from November 3, 2025 to May 2, 2027 at midnight, with 10,000m, race walks, combined events and relays having an eligibility period from February 23, 2026 to August 22, 2027 at midnight.
All other disciplines have a qualification entry from August 23, 2026 to August 22, 2027 at midnight.
“For entry standard purposes, performances must mainly be achieved at category C competitions and above, to ensure the mark has been set in a meeting where minimum competition standards have been met,” according to the notice. “Performances achieved in lower category competitions will remain valid for world rankings. Recognising the limited availability of category C and higher meetings for the 5,000m and 10,000m on the track, road running performances in Label road races – category E – for the 5km and 10km will also be recognized for entry standard purposes. Marathon marks may also be achieved in Label road races.”
Meanwhile, a target number of athletes and teams per event was also announced, with World Athletics seeking a field of 48 in 100m, 200m and 400m races, and the figure rising to 56 for the 800m and 1,500m.
In all three hurdle disciplines, 40 competitors was set as the ideal figure, with 36 for field events and 24 for combined events.
The 3,000m steeplechase will be capped at 36 athletes, with 42 allowed in the 5,000 and just 27 in the 10,000m.
The marathon field expands to 100 participants and 50 in each race walk and all relays will be capped to 16 teams.
