Pacing the Passion for Grand Slam Track
Every four years, Americans turn on the TV to watch the fastest athletes in the world run on a simple 400m track. Being one of the largest events in the Summer Olympics, the sport tends to only be brought up or talked about in relation to The Games. Is there an appetite for track outside of the Olympics?
Nearly 2 in 3 (63%) sports fans indicated a level of interest in the sport of track and field. Four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, the founder of Grand Slam Track, recognized this extensive gap in events for these fans.
So, Johnson created a circuit to provide these athletes with an opportunity to compete under broader TV coverage and to earn larger prize money. The upcoming Philadelphia Slam can be watched live on Peacock and The CW Network, providing wide access to this elite track event.
In addition, to attract high-class athletes, the first place winner is awarded $100,000 in prize money, followed by $50,000 for second place. For a sport that doesn’t typically see this amount of coverage or prize money, this is revolutionary.
Grand Slam Track 2025 has a circuit of four host cities: Kingston, Jamaica; Miami, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Los Angeles, California.
Halfway through the 2025 circuit, 17% of sports fans nationally have heard of Grand Slam Track, with 2 in 3 indicating top-2 box level fandom for the event (Somewhat interested or This is one of my TOP interests).
Building from general interest, 2 in 5 (41%) of sports fans report being likely to consider attending a Grand Slam Track event if one were hosted in their area. This group is comprised of a diverse array of sports fans. The chart below highlights the largest percentage of sports fans likely to attend from the given demographic group.
In such a saturated professional sports market, what is it about Grand Slam Track that makes it so enticing for these fans? According to our survey data, the top factor influencing sports fans’ decision to watch or follow a Grand Slam Track event is the quality of the competition, followed closely by interest in the individual athletes.
This high-caliber circuit drew in elite competitors from around the world, which became the driving attraction for fans. From names like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to Cole Hocker, people are captivated by the talent and stories of these athletes and have now been given another platform to watch them compete outside of the Olympics.
The new format of Grand Slam Track keeps things fresh and different from a typical track meet. There are six categories called ‘Race Groups,’ which combine scores from two events to crown a winner of the group. Unsurprisingly, sprinting comes out as a favorite, with 37% of sports fans favoring short sprints (100m and 200m), and 31% showing interest in long sprints (200m and 400m).
For those who enjoy a bit of a longer burn, 29% of sports fans expressed interest in watching short distance (800m and 1500m).
Whether you like the 10-second thrill in the 100m or the 14-minute grind in the 5000m, Grand Slam Track has something for all fans. Only in its inaugural year, the circuit has already captured the interest of thousands of sports fans. Grand Slam Track has created another opportunity to watch the best athletes in the world battle it out head-to-head. Which event will you tune into? Next up, Philly.
About the author
Kai Bohannon is a Senior Client Services Analyst at YouGov Sport, where she's been for over three years. Bohannon is a San Jose State University graduate, where she competed in Division I cross country and track. Currently, an avid marathon runner, Bohannon brings both determination and a lifelong passion for athletics to her work.