Grand Slam Track™, the professional athletics league founded by four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, has announced a streamlined format and a new slate of elite challengers for its upcoming Philadelphia Slam, scheduled for May 31–June 1 at historic Franklin Field.
In response to feedback from athletes, coaches, and fans following a sold-out Miami Slam, the league has made significant changes to enhance the event experience. Most notably, the competition will now be held over two days instead of three, condensing the action into a more dynamic, high-intensity viewing experience both for spectators and global broadcast audiences.
“We’ve taken time to celebrate the successes we’ve achieved in our inaugural season, but also looked for ways to improve Grand Slam Track™ in real time,” Johnson said. “We’ve said all along we want to listen to our fans, athletes, and coaches... and we believe making these changes will improve the Grand Slam Track™ experience for all.”
The schedule changes will also affect the Men’s and Women’s Long Distance Race Groups, which will now feature a single 3000m race. With just one race to crown a champion, the stakes have risen—$50,000 will go to the winner of each long-distance final.
Fans who had purchased Friday-only tickets will receive full refunds, while partial refunds will be issued to those with three-day packages. Refunds will begin processing on Friday, May 16, and additional questions can be directed to
With the format shift comes a fresh crop of elite athletes confirmed to join the fray in Philadelphia. Among them are Hobbs Kessler of the United States, a 1500m bronze medallist at the 2024 World Indoor Championships; Josh Hoey, also of the United States, the 2025 World Indoor 800m gold medallist; Georgia Hunter Bell of the United Kingdom, the 2024 Olympic bronze medallist and European silver medallist in the 1500m; Nia Akins of the United States, the 2024 US Olympic Trials 800m champion; and Isabella Whittaker, the American indoor 400m record holder and third-place finisher in the Women’s Long Sprints at the Miami Slam.
The Philadelphia Slam will also feature a much-anticipated rematch between Gabby Thomas and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the Women’s Short Sprints, as Jefferson-Wooden aims for her third Slam victory. The Women’s Short Hurdles will see a blockbuster showdown as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Ackera Nugent, and Danielle Williams—all previous Slam winners—line up for a historic battle in the 100m hurdles. Notably, the meet marks McLaughlin-Levrone’s professional debut in the 100m.
They join a star-studded roster of 48 Racers that includes Marileidy Paulino, Salwa Eid Naser, Jereem Richards, Oblique Seville, Grant Fisher, Ronald Kwemoi, Cordell Tinch, Jess Hull, Matthew Hudson-Smith, and many others.
Tickets for the Philadelphia Slam are on sale now at grandslamtrack.com/events/philadelphia, and additional Challenger announcements are expected in the lead-up to the meet.