Bednarek, Stark, Brazier & Kovacs among stars competing June 13-14 at USC
LOS ANGELES – The world’s biggest sprinters are set to shine in the city of stars at the 2026 LA Grand Prix. Meet organizer USA Track & Field announced additional athletes slated to compete in the event, which will be held June 13-14 on Allyson Felix Field at Katherine B. Loker Track Stadium at the University of Southern California. Fans interested in attending can sign up for ticket alerts here.
As previously announced, World and Olympic champion Letsile Tobogo (BOT) will headline the men’s 100m. He will be joined by four of the 10 fastest Americans in history, including 2025 U.S. champion Kenny Bednarek. Bednarek was the silver medalist behind Tobogo in the 200m at the Paris Olympic Games. Also entered are 2026 World Indoor 60m bronze medalist Trayvon Bromell, 2019 World 100m champion Christian Coleman, and 2025 World Championships 4x100m gold medalist Courtney Lindsey. Rising star Max Thomas, a member of Team USA’s gold medal-winning 4x100m relay squad at the 2026 World Relays, rounds out the field.
The women’s 100m hurdles will feature another world-class showdown as reigning Olympic champion Masai Russell returns to the track after clocking a world-leading 12.25 at last week’s Shanghai Diamond League. Russell will face a deep American contingent that includes three other women ranked among the top 10 in the world this season: 2025 World bronze medalist and former NCAA champion Grace Stark, NCAA standout Tonea Marshall, and Ackera Nugent, winner of the 2025 Diamond League Final. Previously announced World and Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall is also slated to compete in the event.
The distance events promise plenty of excitement as well. The women’s 1500m is led by rising Ethiopian star Birke Haylom, who earlier this month set a meeting record with her 3:55.56 victory at the Shanghai Diamond League. She will face a strong field that includes Canadian record holder Gabriela DeBues-Stafford and American record holder Shelby Houlihan. World Indoor finalist Gracie Morris (USA) and NCAA indoor mile record holder Riley Chamberlain (USA) are also slated to compete.
As previously announced, reigning World Indoor 3000m champion Josh Kerr will step down to the 800m. Awaiting him is a deep field that includes 2025 U.S. champion and 2019 World champion Donavan Brazier, 2025 NACAC champion Handal Roban (SVG), and 2024 U.S. Olympian Brandon Miller.
One of the most decorated shot putters in history headlines the men’s shot put as three-time Olympic silver medalist and two-time world champion Joe Kovacs enters the ring. He will be joined by the entire podium from the 2025 U.S. Championships — Josh Awotunde, Payton Otterdahl, and Tripp Piperi — along with 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Rajindra Campbell (JAM).
In the women’s shot put, previously announced reigning world champion Chase Jackson will face the two athletes who joined her on the podium at the 2026 World Indoor Championships: Canadian silver medalist Sarah Mitton and Swedish bronze medalist Axelina Johansson.
The LA Grand Prix will be held June 13-14. Ticket information and a schedule of events are available here. The meet will be broadcast live on USATF.tv on Saturday, June 13, and live on NBC from 1-3 p.m. PT on Sunday, June 14. Media interested in covering the event can apply for credentials here.