The prestigious Diamond League is one of the top athletics competitions in the world, pitting the best athletes in the sport against each other for a series of dramatic single-day meetings in some of the globe's most exciting cities. The idea was born in 2010 with the intention of enhancing the standing of athletics around the world, and the league comprises a mixture of long-established European athletics meets and their equivalents in Asia, Africa, and North America.
After a tumultuous few years thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Diamond League is back and anticipation has been building since schedules and dates were announced in 2021. Ticket releases have gradually been trickling out and, finally, the first event of the 2022 season is here. Today (13 May), athletes from track and field disciplines will compete at the Qatar Sports Club (Suheim bin Hamad) Stadium, Doha and try to get the first points on the board.
Sadly, the 2022 Diamond League has not been left untouched by the pandemic as the season usually consists of 14 meetings in 14 different cities, however, in 2022 the Shanghai and Shenzhen events have been cancelled ongoing restrictions in China. Each of the 12 remaining meetings will stage 14 Diamond disciplines, which are events in which athletes compete for Diamond League points. The top 8 athletes at each meeting are awarded points (8 for the first and 1 for last place), and these points determine which athletes qualify for the discipline finals in Zürich. Take a look at the 2022 events here:
- 13 May - Doha (Qatar Sports Club (Suheim bin Hamad) Stadium)
- 21 May - London/Birmingham (Alexander Stadium)
- 28 May - Eugene (Hayward Field)
- 5 June - Rabat (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium)
- 9 June - Rome (Stadio Olimpico)
- 16 June - Oslo (Bislett Stadium)
- 18 June - Paris (Stade Sébastien Charléty)
- 30 June - Stockholm (Stockholm Olympic Stadium)
- 10 August - Monaco (Stade Louis II)
- 26 August - Lausanne (Stade Olympique de la Pontaise)
- 2 September - Brussels (King Baudouin Stadium)
- 7-8 September - Zürich (Letzigrund)
All Diamond League events are incredibly entertaining and give spectators the opportunity to witness some serious feats of athleticism, strength, and speed. Perhaps the event in Birmingham, UK will suit you which takes place in Alexander Stadium, revamped in time for the 2022 Commonwealth Games (2-7 August). Or, maybe Eugene, Oregon, USA will take your fancy as a chance to see athletics at the host stadium of the 2022 World Athletics Championships (15-24 July). Or, perhaps the iconic Herculis meet in Monaco is for you as it oozes chic style. Starting prices for tickets at these events are under GBP £30/USD $37/EUR 35€.
Pre-sale tickets for the final in Zürich were released on Tuesday 10 May with the general sale starting on 17 May. On the first day of the meet, free access for the public is planned. Ticket prices start from EUR 65€ (GBP £53/USD $68) on the second day, not to mention the fabulous hospitality packages on offer. There will be 7 finals in Zürich taking place in Letzigrund Stadium as part of a 3-hour world-feed programme. The winner of each final will be crowned Wanda Diamond League Champion and take home the prestigious Diamond Trophy and 30,000 USD.
See the best of the best shine bright like a diamond and find a gem in the 2022 calendar!