Boxing stars Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois face off at Tower Bridge in London

Pole vault sensation Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis said he was excited to be part of the growth of athletics after the two-time Olympic champion was handed an ambassadorial role for next year’s inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship.

World Athletics announced last year it would hold the global championship as a grand conclusion to the 2026 season. It will then take place every two years.

In a statement, World Athletics said Duplantis had been named ‘Star Athlete’ for the event.

The governing body added that the pole vaulter would be among the “key collaborators pursuing their cultural passions outside of athletics in music, fashion, art, on-screen, who will promote the new global season-ending championship.”

The event will take place in Budapest with a record $10 million in prize money on offer. Gold medallists will each receive $150,000 as part of what the sport’s world governing body has described as the richest prize pot ever in the sport.

Duplantis won his second world title in 2023 in Budapest.

He also broke his own pole vault world record there for a 13th time on Tuesday, soaring 6.29 meters at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Swede said he was hoping to set a new world record during the Ultimate Championship.

“We’re always looking for new ways to make sure that the spotlight shines on athletics and the Ultimate will light up Budapest,” the 25-year-old added.

“I have great memories of winning world gold two years ago and remember the incredible atmosphere inside the stadium that night. It would be a dream to break the world record in front of a packed crowd next year.

“This event is set to showcase our sport like never before and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

The championship is scheduled to take place over three evenings next year from September 11 to September 13.

Each session will last less than three hours, in a bid to capture the attention of global television viewers.

The program will feature 26 individual events – 16 track and 10 field – and two relays, including the new mixed 4x100m.

RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League has announced the fixture list for the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League, with the new campaign kicking off on Thursday, Aug. 28

Matchday 1 sees reigning champions Al-Ittihad begin their title defense away to Al-Okhdood, while Cristiano Ronaldo — fresh from signing his new contract — and Al-Nassr also hit the road to take on Al-Taawoun, one of last season’s surprise packages.

Following their superb run to the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals, Al-Hilal start their campaign with a city derby clash against Al-Riyadh.

Arguably the match of the round takes place in Jeddah, where AFC Champions League winners Al-Ahli host promoted NEOM, who dominated the Saudi First Division last season.

NEOM have since bolstered their squad by signing former Arsenal captain Alexandre Lacazette, goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, and highly-rated midfield youngster Amadou Kone, as manager Christophe Galtier aims to establish the Tabuk-based club in the top tier.

Al-Hilal immediately follow their opening match with a home clash against Al-Qadsiah, last season’s fourth-place finishers and King Cup finalists, before travelling to Jeddah to take on Al-Ahli on Matchday 3.

Three rounds later, Al-Hilal are back in Jeddah for the first Clasico against rivals Al-Ittihad, meaning the Riyadh giants face several early-season tests that could be pivotal to the rest of their campaign.

Following their opening trip to Al-Taawoun, Al-Nassr’s early schedule also includes a massive visit to Jeddah to play Al-Ittihad on Matchday 4, followed by a home clash with NEOM on Matchday 8.

A challenging winter stretch between Matchdays 13 and 16 has Jorge Jesus’ side face Al-Ahli (A), Al-Qadsiah (H), Al-Hilal (A) in the Capital Derby, and Al-Shabab (H).

Al-Ittihad’s start away to Al-Okhdood is followed by home matches against Al-Fateh and Al-Nassr, either side of a trip to promoted Al-Najma, before the blockbuster showdown with Al-Hilal in Jeddah on Matchday 6.

Their final game of the season will be a rematch of last season’s King Cup final in Jeddah against Al-Qadsiah, whom they defeated to clinch the domestic double.

After welcoming NEOM on the opening day, Al-Ahli clash with Al-Hilal (H) on Matchday 3 and take on Al-Ittihad (A) in the Sea Derby on Matchday 8. The reverse derby match is scheduled for Matchday 25.

Beyond the usual title contenders, there will be many storylines to follow throughout the season as the drama unfolds. Among these could be Al-Taawoun following an excellent 2024-25 season when they reached the semifinals of the AFC Champions League 2 and placed eighth in the RSL.

Pericles Chamusca, who was Al-Taawoun manager between 2022 and 2024, is back in the dugout having steered NEOM to promotion.

And with a kind-looking early fixture list — Al-Nassr are the only opponents in their first five games to finish in last season’s top six — Al-Taawoun have an opportunity to build some early momentum before the first international break.

Al-Shabab start their season with four of their first six matches at home in Riyadh, which could provide a springboard for Abderrazak Hamdallah to make some monumental history.

The Moroccan striker is just five goals shy of equaling the RSL’s all-time scoring record — currently held by Omar Al-Somah with 155 goals — and a fast start to the campaign could see the prolific forward become the league’s greatest goalscorer.

The RSL enters the new campaign aiming to build on the league’s remarkable progress in recent years. The 2024-25 season saw a record 183 broadcast partners worldwide while more than 2.5 million fans attended matches throughout the Kingdom.

Global interest in Saudi football has also soared, with a 200 percent increase in international sponsorship revenue.

With heavyweight clashes, fierce derbies, and new challengers all lined up, the 2025-26 season is set to deliver another memorable chapter in the RSL’s rise.

Derby days to mark on the calendar:

Al-Hilal vs Al-Nassr (Capital Derby): Matchday 15 (Al-Hilal home) and Matchday 32 (Al-Nassr home)

Al-Ittihad vs Al-Ahli (Sea Derby): Matchday 8 (Al-Ittihad home) and Matchday 25 (Al-Ahli home)

Al-Qadsiah vs Al-Ettifaq (Eastern Province derby): Matchday 9 (Al-Qadsiah home) and Matchday 26 (Al-Ettifaq home)

Al-Hilal vs Al-Ittihad (Saudi Clasico): Matchday 6 (Al-Ittihad home) and Matchday 23 (Al-Hilal home)