June 15, 2022
The World Athletics Championships are coming to the United States for the first time ever. This extraordinary showcase featuring 2,000 athletes from 200 nations will take center stage at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
While the World Athletics Championships typically take place in larger cities, Eugene’s unique track and field legacy made it an ideal location for the 2022 championships. Multiple legends of the sport – including Bill Bowerman, Steve Prefontaine, Bill Dellinger, and Ashton Eaton – have all called Hayward Field home. The first artificial track was laid at the arena and the first-ever waffle iron Nike shoes made their inaugural test run on the Hayward Field track. This history of world-famous talent and innovation led to Eugene’s reputation as Tracktown USA, the heart and soul of American track and field.
According to The Oregonian, organizers expect the World Athletics Championships to draw 200,000 visitors to Oregon. The Eugene Register Guard shared that “a study in 2015 estimated that the World Athletics Championships will result in $52 million in spending directly related to the event and $138 million in overall impact.”
The World Athletics Championships pose a unique opportunity to connect Oregon’s incredible culture of athletics and outdoor recreation to the rest of the world while benefitting our region’s economy.
Learn more about Oregon's apparel & outdoor industry with the 2022 Greater Portland Apparel & Outdoor Industry Overview.