Banqiao: The 2026 Taiwan Athletics Open, initially announced as canceled, will proceed under a new name, providing Taiwanese athletes a chance to compete with international peers. The event is now titled "New Taipei City Athletics Open 2026" and will be held on June 6-7 at Banqiao Stadium.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Chinese Taipei Athletics Association rebranded the event to highlight its local identity and align with international conventions for naming World Athletics Tour events after cities. The association plans to submit the new name for approval to World Athletics soon.
This decision follows a statement from Sports Minister Lee Yang, who confirmed on Thursday that the Sports Ministry would support the event through the Sports Development Fund. The fund is aimed at promoting athlete development and international competitions.
Previously, the Taiwan Athletics Open was set to be canceled due to the Sports Ministry's fiscal year 2026 budget awaiting legislative approval. Since its start in 1973, the event has been a crucial platform for domestic athletes to compete against top international talent, enhancing their skills and performance.
In 2024, the event was recognized by World Athletics as a Continental Tour Bronze-level event, enabling athletes to accrue world ranking points. The meet has historically attracted renowned international competitors, including Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse and Polish hammer thrower Anita Wlodarczyk.
The 2026 edition has been elevated to a Continental Tour Silver-level event, placing Taiwan among a select group of Asian countries, including China, India, and Israel, to host such a prestigious meet. Organizers are required to host a minimum of 12 events, ensuring representation from both men and women, as well as including jumping and throwing disciplines. Each event must feature at least three athletes ranked within the top 100 globally.
This meet presents a vital opportunity for Taiwanese athletes to improve their world rankings and secure qualification for the Asian Games in Japan later in September, as the World Athletics ranking and qualification window closes in late June.