Monaco Athletics Festival 2026: World High Jump Takes Over Port Hercule

On Wednesday 5 August 2026, starting at 6:00 PM, Quai Albert Ier in Monaco will host the first edition of the Monaco Athletics Festival, a new international event dedicated to urban athletics and, in particular, to high jump.

Organised by the Monegasque Athletics Federation, the event aims to bring athletics closer to the public through an innovative and spectacular format, moving competition beyond traditional stadiums and transforming the iconic setting of Port Hercule into an international sporting arena.

From its very first edition, the Monaco Athletics Festival will become part of the What Gravity Tour, the global high jump circuit created by Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim, designed to promote the discipline through urban events combining elite performance, entertainment and public engagement.

Monaco joins the international What Gravity Tour circuit

The launch of the Monaco Athletics Festival is the result of the meeting between Mutaz Barshim’s innovative vision and the experience of the Monegasque Athletics Federation in organising major sporting events.

Created in Doha in 2024 under the name What Gravity Challenge, the concept evolved in 2025 into the What Gravity Tour, expanding its international reach with new European stages.

The choice of Monaco as a host city confirms the Principality’s prestigious role in the world of athletics. The destination offers a unique environment combining sport, tourism and entertainment in an exceptional urban setting.

The Monegasque Athletics Federation also brings extensive experience in organising competitions in extraordinary locations. Among the most notable examples are the events held on Port Hercule as part of the Meeting Herculis EBS in 2018 and 2019, which demonstrated the spectacular potential of athletics in the heart of Monaco.

World-class high jump champions expected in Monaco

The first edition of the Monaco Athletics Festival will feature some of the greatest specialists in the world of high jump.

Among the most anticipated athletes will be Mutaz Barshim himself, one of the greatest figures in the history of the discipline. Olympic champion at Tokyo 2020 and world champion in 2019, the Qatari star will take part in the event in a dual role: as a competing athlete and as the founder of the What Gravity Tour.

The Port Hercule stage will also welcome Romaine Beckford, representing Jamaica and recent winner of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Considered one of the most promising talents on the international scene, Beckford arrives in Monaco following a remarkable rise at the highest level.

Another major name will be Tyus Wilson from the United States. NACAC champion, NCAA champion and two-time US champion, Wilson is recognised for his consistency among the world’s top athletes. With a personal best of 2.29 metres, he will strengthen an already outstanding field for this inaugural edition.

A bridge between world champions and the next generation

The Monaco Athletics Festival will not only be a competition between elite athletes but also an opportunity to connect established champions with the future generation of athletics.

Among the young talents sharing the competition area with the world’s best will be Elijah Pasquier, 2026 French Elite champion at just 20 years old. His participation perfectly represents the spirit of the event: creating opportunities for young athletes to compete alongside the greatest names in the sport.

The organisers aim to create an event that promotes not only performance but also the values of exchange, experience sharing and transmission between generations.

Port Hercule becomes a stage for international athletics

With its debut on Monaco’s summer sporting calendar, the Monaco Athletics Festival aims to become one of the highlights of the season.

The combination of an iconic venue such as Port Hercule, the presence of the world’s best high jump specialists and the innovative format of the What Gravity Tour makes this event a new attraction for sports fans and international visitors.

The ambition is clear: to transform urban athletics into a spectacular experience accessible to everyone and to further strengthen Monaco’s position as one of the world’s sporting capitals.

On 5 August 2026, high jump will reach new heights, with Port Hercule ready to become a new landmark for international athletics.