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Bhubaneswar's Big Leap: Hosting National Indoor Championships and World Athletics Silver Meet

Bhubaneswar is set to become a major athletics hub with two prestigious events in 2026. The city will host both the inaugural National Indoor Championships and a World Athletics Silver Level meet. AFI has planned a comprehensive 40-event domestic calendar to prepare athletes for the 2026 Asian Games. The new Indian Athletics Series will provide crucial competitive opportunities for emerging regional talent.

Key Points: AFI Announces 2026 Athletics Calendar with Bhubaneswar Events

  • First National Indoor Championships scheduled for March 24-25 at Bhubaneswar Indoor Stadium
  • World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Level meet upgraded from Bronze in August
  • New Indian Athletics Series with 16 events starting April to develop regional talent
  • Athletes must compete in minimum two events to qualify for National Senior Championships
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Bhubaneswar to host inaugural National Indoor Championships and World Athletics Silver Level event

Bhubaneswar to host inaugural National Indoor Championships and World Athletics Silver Level meet in 2026 as part of AFI's 40-event domestic calendar preparing for Asian Games.

"The Indian Athletics Series will give a chance to young athletes on the fringes to compete at a higher level with minimum entry standard - Ravinder Chaudhry, AFI Competition Director"

New Delhi, November 25

The inaugural edition of the National Indoor Championships and the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Level Meet, an upgraded version of this year's Bronze Level meet, in Bhubaneswar will be the biggest attractions of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) 2026 domestic calendar, this was announced here on Tuesday, as per a release from AFI.

"The first National Indoor Championships will be held at Bhubaneswar's Indoor Stadium on March 24 and 25," AFI competition director Ravinder Chaudhry said, as quoted from a release by AFI.

"The World Athletic Continental Tour Silver Level Meet will be held in August in Bhubaneswar," he noted.

Besides, the inaugural edition of Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition will be held in Bhubaneswar in May.

The comprehensive annual 2026 domestic calendar will feature as many as 40 competitions to sharpen competing skills of senior and junior athletes in the build up to the 2026 Asian Games (September 19 to October 4).

The AFI has also introduced an Indian Athletics Series from next calendar year to encourage competitors at regional level. The 16-part series will commence from April and continue till September.

"The Indian Athletics Series will give a chance to young athletes on the fringes to compete at a higher level with minimum entry standard," AFI competition director said.

To be eligible to participate in the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Championships in May, the AFI has made it mandatory for athletes to compete in a minimum of two competitions.

The competitors will have to participate in three competitions, including state meets, to be eligible to take part in the 65th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships in July.

The 2026 AFI domestic calendar:

January 24: 60th National Cross Country Championships (Ranchi, Jharkhand)TBD: NIDJAM (20th National Inter District Junior Athletics Meet.February 21-22: 13th Indian Open Race Walking Competition (Chandigarh)March 7-8: Fifth Indian Open Throws Competition (Patiala, Punjab)March 14-15: Fifth Indian Open Jumps Competition (Anju Bobby George Foundation, Bengaluru)March 24-25: First National Indoor Athletics Championships (Bhubaneswar, Odisha)March 28: Seventh Indian Open 400m meet (Trivandrum, Kerala)April 4: Indian Athletics Series 1 (Bengaluru, Karnataka)April 5: Indian Athletics Series 2 (Udaipur, Rajasthan)April 11: Indian Athletics Series 3 (Sangrur, Punjab).April 12: Indian Athletics Series 4 (Ranchi, Jharkhand)April 18: Third National Open Relay Competition (Chandigarh)April 24-26: 24th National Junior Athletics Federation Competition (Mangalore, Karnataka)May 2-3: First Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition (Bhubaneswar, Odisha)May 9: Indian Athletics Series 5 (New Delhi)May 10: Indian Athletics Series 6 (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)May 22-25 (29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition (Ranchi, Jharkhand).May 26 to June 5: State competitionsJune 6: Indian Athletics Series 7 (Guwahati, Assam)June 7: Indian Athletics Series 8 (Pune, Maharashtra)June 13: Indian Athletics Series 9 (Ludhiana, Punjab)June 14: Indian Athletics Series 10 (Trivandrum, Kerala)June 20: Indian Athletics Series 11 (Kolkata, West Bengal)June 21: Indian Athletics Series 12 (Nadiad, Gujarat)June 21 to 30: State competitionsJuly 8-12: 65th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships (Bhubaneswar, Odisha)August 7: Fifth National Javelin Day Competition (all districts)August 14: Indian Athletics Series 13 (Warangal, Telangana)August 16: Indian Athletics Series 14 (Panchkula, Haryana)August 22: Indian Open World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Level (Bhubaneswar, Odisha)August 29: Indian Athletics Series 15 (Shillong, Sikkim)August 16 to 31: Junior state competitionsSeptember 1-3 (21st National Youth Athletics Championships (Ludhiana, Punjab).September 5: Indian Athletics Series 16 (Anju Bobby George Foundation, Bengaluru)September 12: Indian Athletics Series Final-by invitation (New Delhi)September 14 to 24: Board MeetsSeptember 14-16: North Zone Junior/South Zone Junior (Dehradun/Puducherry)September 22-24: East Zone Junior/West Central Zone Junior (Shillong/Patna/Goa/Indore)October 8-11 (65th National Open Athletics Championships (New Delhi)October 16-18: Sixth Indian U23 Athletics Competition (Jaipur, Rajasthan)October 23-27: 41st National Junior Athletics Championships (Chennai, Tamil Nadu).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some focus on indoor athletics! Most of our athletes only get to compete outdoors. This will help develop all-weather champions. The Silver Level event upgrade shows India's growing importance in world athletics.
A
Anjali F
The Indian Athletics Series is a brilliant initiative! Giving young athletes from smaller towns a platform is exactly what we need. Hope they get proper facilities and coaching support too. 🤞
M
Michael C
Impressive calendar with 40 competitions! The mandatory participation rule is good - will ensure athletes get consistent competition exposure before major events like Asian Games.
S
Siddharth J
While the calendar looks comprehensive, I hope AFI ensures proper infrastructure at all venues. Some states still lack basic athletic facilities. Quality over quantity should be the focus.
K
Kavya N
So many events across India! From Shillong to Trivandrum, athletes from all regions will get opportunities. The National Javelin Day is particularly exciting - we need more Neeraj Chopras! 🎯
R
Rahul R
Great to see Odisha taking the lead in sports infrastructure. The state government's investment in sports is really paying off. Other states should learn from this model! 👏

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