After igniting the track world with a sold-out Miami Slam, Grand Slam Track is raising the stakes once again. The League recently announced major updates for the Philadelphia Slam, set to explode at historic Franklin Field May 31 and June 1.
This third stop in Grand Slam Track’s trailblazing inaugural season will feature a refined two-day competition schedule, new high-profile Challengers ready to disrupt the field, and a reimagined event format built for intensity, drama, and fan-first thrills.
“Coming off an amazing sold-out Miami Slam, we’ve taken time to celebrate the successes we’ve achieved in our inaugural season, but also have looked for ways to improve Grand Slam Track in real time,” said Grand Slam Track Founder and Commissioner Michael Johnson.
“We’ve said all along we want to listen to our fans, athletes, and coaches, and having heard feedback from various key stakeholders, we’ve made the decision to condense our schedule in Philadelphia into two, high-octane, and intense days of combat racing. We want to be the most flexible, adaptive, and fan-first league in sports, and we believe making these changes will improve the Grand Slam Track experience for all.”
New format. Higher stakes. Maximum speed.
In direct response to fans, athletes, and coaches, the Philadelphia Slam will run over two days instead of three, promising a tighter, more electric viewing experience both in-stadium and around the world.
Key competition format changes include:
- Two-Day Slam: The condensed format focuses all the action into one explosive weekend, ensuring non-stop excitement with no filler.
- Single Race Showdowns: The Men’s and Women’s Long Distance Race Groups will now compete in a single 3000m race, increasing drama and placing the full $50,000 prize on the line in one decisive battle.
- Ticket Refunds for Friday: Fans who purchased Friday-only tickets will receive automatic full refunds beginning May 16. Those with multi-day tickets that included Friday will get partial refunds. Questions? Email tickets@pobox.upenn.edu.
Superstars incoming: New Challengers announced
Grand Slam Track has added five elite athletes to the already star-studded roster headed to Philadelphia:
- Hobbs Kessler (USA) – Men’s Short Distance | 2024 World Indoor Bronze Medalist, 1500m
- Josh Hoey (USA) – Men’s Short Distance | 2025 World Indoor Gold Medalist, 800m
- Georgia Hunter Bell (UK) – Women’s Short Distance | 2024 Olympic Bronze, 2024 European Silver, 1500m
- Nia Akins (USA) – Women’s Short Distance | 2024 US Olympic Trials Champion, 800m
- Isabella Whittaker (USA) – Women’s Long Sprints | Indoor American Record Holder, 400m; 3rd Place, 2025 Miami Slam
Blockbuster match-ups: The rivalries return
The Philadelphia Slam will deliver must-see rematches and first-time faceoffs, including: Gabby Thomas vs. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden: The Miami duel continues as these sprint titans collide again in the Women’s Short Sprints group. Jefferson-Wooden holds two Slam wins. Thomas wants her moment.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s 100m Pro Debut: The Olympic icon steps into new territory, competing in the Women’s Short Hurdles Race Group for her first professional 100m race.
Three Slam Champions. One Race. $100K on the line. McLaughlin-Levrone will face Miami Slam Champion Ackera Nugent and Kingston Slam Champion Danielle Williams in a loaded showdown unlike anything track has seen.
Philly’s power line-up: A who’s who of global speed
These new Challengers join an already electric cast of global stars, including: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Kenny Bednarek, Grant Fisher, Oblique Seville, Trey Cunningham, Ditaji Kambundji, Sasha Zhoya, Marileidy Paulino, Salwa Eid Naser, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Marco Arop, Josh Kerr, Yared Nuguse, Cole Hocker, Nikki Hiltz, Alexis Holmes, Masai Russell, Rushell Clayton, Ronald Kwemoi, Agnes Ngetich, and many more.
Grand Slam Track tickets & broadcast
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are on sale now at grandslamtrack.com/events/
The Philadelphia Slam will be broadcast in 198 countries and territories worldwide.
This isn’t just track. This is combat racing, and Philadelphia is about to feel the thunder.
