New York, NY – Grand Slam Track™, the premier global platform for professional track and field competitions, founded earlier this year by four-time US Olympic Champion Michael Johnson, has announced that Miami, Florida, will serve as the host city for the second of four events in the Grand Slam Track™ series, scheduled to begin in 2025. With Miami joining Los Angeles and Kingston, Jamaica, the final designated location will be announced later this week.
“South Florida knows how to host big events, and that’s exactly what we’re bringing with Grand Slam Track™,” said Michael Johnson, the league’s founder and Commissioner. “This region has a real passion for sports, and I’m confident the energy here will make it a memorable experience for both the racers and the fans. We’re building something special, and Miami is going to be a huge part of that.”
South Florida, recognized for its vibrant sports culture, provides an excellent setting for the Grand Slam Track™ event. The Miami Slam will be held at Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida, on May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2025, featuring top international competitors vying for substantial prizes.
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“We are thrilled to have been selected as one of the host cities for the inaugural season of the Grand Slam Track,” said the City of Miramar’s Mayor Wayne Messam. “This event will not only showcase our city’s state-of-the-art facilities but also provide an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship.”
Each year, 48 athletes are selected to participate as Grand Slam Track™ Racers. The current roster includes distinguished competitors from around the world of track and field, such as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Melissa Jefferson, Masai Russell, Quincy Hall, Fred Kerley, Kenny Bednarek, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse, Grant Fisher, Josh Kerr, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Ackera Nugent, Roshawn Clarke, Nikki Hiltz, Cyrena Samba-Mayela, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Alison Dos Santos, Ronald Kwemoi, Muzala Samukonga, Clement Ducos, Marileidy Paulino, Jess Hull, Daniel Roberts, Shamier Little, Marco Arop, Devon Allen, Jasmine Jones, Jereem Richards, Luis Grijalva, Rushell Clayton, Agnes Ngetich, and Tsigie Gebreselama. Spectators can look forward to seeing these top athletes compete in Miami in May 2025.
These racers are selected by the Grand Slam Track™ Racing Committee based on a combination of factors, including performance, competitiveness, and regional representation. The selection emphasizes high-caliber racers and the excitement of intense rivalries and engaging competition. GST Racers commit to participating in all four Slams annually. They receive an annual base compensation for each event and are eligible for the full prize purse. These athletes are contracted annually and have access to the GST content and data services team, are included in the league collective, and benefit from group licensing and new revenue opportunities. Additionally, they have access to world-class athlete support services throughout the season. GST racers are contracted to compete and promote the league, with additional marketing and branding support provided.
The remaining 48 competitors will be designated as GST Challengers and will receive a predetermined appearance fee for participating in individual Slam events. Selection of GST Challengers is made by the Grand Slam Track™ Racing Committee, considering factors such as recent performance and the most engaging athletes and matchups.
Racers and Challengers will be assigned to compete in one of the following categories, participating in two events during each Slam: short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100H or 110H/100m), long sprints (200m/400m), long hurdles (400H/400m), short-distance races (800m/1500m), or long-distance races (3000m/5000m). The final placement for each competitor will be determined by their combined finishing positions across both events. In the event of a tie, the athlete with the fastest combined time in both races will be declared the winner. The winner of each Slam group will receive a prize of $100,000, while the eighth-place competitor will earn $10,000. Overall, Grand Slam Track™ will distribute a total of $12.6 million in prize money annually across all Slam events, in addition to base compensation and appearance fees paid to athletes.
Grand Slam Track™ emphasizes head-to-head competition rather than solely focusing on finishing times. There will be no pacemakers or pacing lights. Each Slam is considered equally important, featuring its own prize purse and being independently scored; points and previous placements do not carry over to subsequent events. All participants will have two opportunities to compete during the three-day event. Additionally, all Slam events will adhere to World Athletics regulations, and achieved marks will be eligible for rankings and standards.
Grand Slam Track™ emphasizes head-to-head competition rather than solely prioritizing finishing times. There will be no pacing aids such as rabbits or pacing lights. Each Slam event holds equal significance, features its own prize purse, and is scored independently, with points and previous results not carried over to subsequent Slams. All participants will compete twice during the three-day event, and all Slam events will adhere to World Athletics regulations, ensuring that achieved marks are eligible for rankings and qualification standards.
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