CAA confirms 2026 African champs date

The Confederation of African Athletics has confirmed that the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships will begin on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Accra, Ghana, officially setting the date for the continent’s flagship track and field event, The PUNCH reports.

Ghana Athletics announced the confirmation in a statement issued on Wednesday after receiving formal approval from the Minister for Sports and Recreation and the Confederation of African Athletics, affirming Ghana’s status as host of the championships, which will run until Sunday, May 17, 2026.

According to the programme released by Ghana Athletics, preparations for the championships will begin ahead of competition, with the arrival of CAA administrators and technical officials scheduled for May 8, 2026.

Members of the CAA Council are expected to arrive on May 9, while the council meeting and the arrival of participating teams will take place on May 10.

A technical meeting has been fixed for May 11, one day before the official start of competition, which will see athletes from across the continent begin contests on May 12.

The championships will conclude on May 17, with all teams expected to depart Accra on May 18, 2026.

Ghana Athletics also explained that the confirmed dates were agreed in consultation with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, with consideration given to the academic calendar of the University of Ghana, Legon.

The university will be on vacation during the period and is also scheduled to host its own international students’ championship earlier in May.

The Ghana Sports Minister is expected to officially welcome CAA council members and deliver a keynote address before proceedings transition fully into the competition phase.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ghana and the CAA is expected to take place on or before January 8, 2026, subject to the availability of the Sports Minister.

In addition, the Local Organising Committee for Accra 2026 is scheduled to be inaugurated on Thursday (today).

The championships is set to bring together the continent’s leading athletes and officials, with Accra poised to become the centre of African athletics when competition gets underway on May 12, 2026.