The 24th African Senior Athletics Championships will officially begin on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Accra, Ghana, Ghana Athletics has confirmed.

In a statement issued following approval from the Minister for Sports and Recreation and the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Ghana formally affirmed its status as host of the continental championships, which will run until Sunday, May 17, 2026.

According to the programme outlined by Ghana Athletics, preparations for the championships will commence earlier, with the arrival of CAA administrators and technical officials scheduled for May 8, 2026.

Members of the CAA Council are expected to arrive on May 9, while the CAA Council Meeting and the arrival of competing teams will take place on May 10.

A technical meeting will follow on May 11, ahead of the official start of competition the next day.

The championships will conclude on May 17, with the departure of all teams on May 18, 2026.

Ghana Athletics explained that the confirmed dates were agreed in consultation with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, taking into account the academic calendar of the University of Ghana, Legon, which will be on vacation during the period and is also scheduled to host its own international students’ championship earlier in May.

As part of the build-up to the championships, Ghana will also host the CAA Council Meeting in Accra, in line with diplomatic and ministerial protocol. The Sports Minister is expected to officially welcome council members and deliver a keynote address before the council meeting transitions into the competition phase.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ghana and the CAA is expected to take place on or before January 8, 2026, subject to the availability of the Sports Minister.

Additionally, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for Accra 2026 is scheduled to be inaugurated on Thursday, December 18, 2026.

The African Senior Athletics Championships will bring together the continent’s top athletes and officials, with Accra set to become the centre of African athletics when competition begins on May 12, 2026.