World Athletics expects about 60% of competitors at the 2027 world championships in Beijing to qualify through world rankings and about 40% by meeting entry standards.

That reverses the previous 50-50 design. The governing body says the rankings now give more weight to performance scores and less to placing scores, an adjustment intended to reduce disadvantages for athletes with limited access to high-category meetings.

Graphic compares a 60 percent world-ranking route with a 40 percent entry-standard route.
World Athletics expects roughly 60% of competitors to qualify through rankings and 40% through entry standards.Boho News graphic from cited primary dataView source

Athletes in individual events can qualify in four ways: achieving the entry standard, earning a designated finishing position, receiving an eligible wild card or holding a high enough world-ranking position when the period closes.

The marathon window runs from Nov. 3, 2025, through May 2, 2027. The 10,000 meters, race walks, combined events and relays run from Feb. 23, 2026, through Aug. 22, 2027; most other disciplines run from Aug. 23, 2026, through Aug. 22, 2027.

Entry-standard marks generally must come from category C competitions or above. World Athletics will also accept 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer performances from Label road races for the corresponding track standards, and Label marathons for the marathon standard.

Area champions can be treated as qualified in individual events other than marathons if no other qualified athlete from the same area is entered in that event. Certain leading finishes at Platinum and Gold Label marathons also provide a route.

Graphic lists a May 2, 2027 marathon deadline and an August 22, 2027 deadline for most disciplines.
The marathon window ends May 2, 2027; most other disciplines run through Aug. 22, 2027.Boho News graphic from cited primary dataView source

Wild cards cover 2025 defending world champions and specified winners from the 2026 Ultimate Championship, tour series and the 2027 Diamond League. Member federations still control selection and may have to choose among multiple wild-card holders in one event.

For each relay discipline, the first 12 teams from the 2026 World Relays in Gaborone qualified automatically. Four additional places will go to the highest-ranked teams at the end of the qualification period.

Meeting an entry standard or ranking threshold makes an athlete eligible under the global system; it does not guarantee national-team selection. Federations may apply their own selection policies within World Athletics' entry rules.