ATHLOS, London 2026.

The brief

ATHLOS 2026 brought elite women’s athletics to StoneX Stadium, combining world-class competition with the energy and production values of a major live event.

Working with ConCom, we were tasked with creating a main stage that integrated athletics activity directly into the event environment, with the long jump included as part of the stage configuration.

The wider brief included branding, screen support structures, FoH and camera platforms, bringing the sporting and production requirements together within the event infrastructure.

The challenge

Track and field disciplines are traditionally separated across an athletics venue. ATHLOS wanted to change that, bringing the long jump into a focal position alongside the track to create a more unified live athletics experience.

Our challenge was to integrate the long jump competition area within the main stage configuration while meeting the structural, production and presentation requirements of the event.

Delivery also had to fit within a restricted venue access window, with the complete structure ready ahead of the production period and live event.

Our solution

We selected VerTech™ CORE 1 as the structural platform for the project, using the system’s adaptability to integrate the long jump competition area within the main stage environment.

The 15m main stage, with 8m trim and 8m wings, incorporated an elevated 7.6m × 3.7m sand pit at 900mm deep. Integrated into the wider stage footprint with dedicated access and handrails, the configuration gave the long jump its own prominent competition area alongside the track.

Around this, we configured the structure to support the wider production requirements, incorporating a branded gable, truss headers and screen support structures alongside FoH and camera platforms.

With a limited construction window available at StoneX Stadium, we planned the installation around continuous 24-hour working. Careful coordination of the build enabled the stage, elevated long jump area and supporting production infrastructure to be completed in readiness for the production team installation and live event.

Impact

The completed infrastructure helped ATHLOS deliver an event that presented elite athletics through the lens of live entertainment, placing the long jump alongside the track competition as part of a more unified live experience.

Rather than sitting apart from the main action, the elevated long jump area became a focal point in its own right, giving the field competition the prominence intended by the brief while improving sightlines for the audience.

Working closely with our client ConCom, we delivered the structural platform that brought athletics and live production together, helping realise ATHLOS’ distinctive vision for elite sport.