Michael Johnson has confirmed that his Grand Slam Track circuit will not return in 2026 unless athletes receive the prize money and appearance fees they are owed from this year's inaugural season. The four-time Olympic champion admitted the upstart league has been unable to pay millions of dollars to competitors.
The circuit launched in 2025 as a lucrative alternative to the Diamond League, offering contracted salaries and up to $100,000 for race winners. It attracted top British talent including sprinters Daryll Neita and Matthew Hudson-Smith, and 1500m world champion Josh Kerr, with promises of swift payouts.
The season began with meets in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia, though the latter was reduced from three days to two as costs mounted. The scheduled finale in Los Angeles was cancelled in June after organisers failed to secure promised investment. Johnson said the decision was made “to avoid further losses” and begin stabilising the company.
According to an industry report, Grand Slam owes approximately $13m to competitors. Johnson expressed regret, stating: “We promised that athletes would be fairly and quickly compensated. Yet, here we are struggling with our ability to compensate them.” He blamed circumstances beyond the league’s control after committed funding failed to materialise.
Despite the crisis, Johnson insisted the league has no plans to fold. He said systems and partnerships are being put in place to prevent a recurrence, adding: “The 2026 season will not happen until these obligations are met – and that is my number one priority.”
