Tokyo became the center for the track and field athletes to shine as the 20th World Athletics Championships mesmerized the fans with some iconic moments, and with more history being made. From September 13 to 21, we saw the superstars give us unbelievable moments, like Noah Lyles setting the pace to win his fourth World Championships and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden setting the pace to win the 200m sprint.

We saw the Jamaican sprinters back amongst the gold thanks to Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson. Faith Kipyegon, Hamish Kerr, and Ryan Crouser continued their dominance in the distance running, high jump, and shot put events, respectively. And there was so much more spectacle that we got to witness in these nine days. And as the 2025 World Championships come to an end, we prepare for the Flag Handover Ceremony, a symbolic passing of the torch and embracing the future.

When and what to expect at the closing ceremony of the World Athletics Championships 2025

The Flag handover ceremony for the 2025 World Athletics Championships will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 21:30 to 21:40 local time. It will take place at the Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, where the Championships have been taking place.

The ceremony will see the attendance of Yuriko Koike, the Governor of Tokyo; Mu Peng, the Vice Mayor of Beijing; and Sebastian Coe, the President of World Athletics, and it will officially bring the 20th World Athletics Championships to a close.

What is the flag handover ceremony?

The ceremony is a tradition that sees the host pass the symbolic baton (here, the flag of the World Athletics) to the hosts of the next Championships. It started in 2007 at the Osaka World Athletics Championships. The current hosts (the Governor of Tokyo) will hand over the World Athletics flag to the President of World Athletics, who will then pass on the flag to the next hosts (the Vice Mayor of Beijing).

It also involves a program where a highlight movie presentation is shown, consisting of the most iconic moments of WCH Tokyo 25. And this officially concludes the Championships. The ceremony will also feature athletes and representatives of the volunteers who played a key role in delivering the championships.

In short, the Flag Handover Ceremony is the symbolic centerpiece of the Closing Ceremony.

Which country will Host the 2027 World Athletics Championships?

The 21st World Athletics Championships will be held in Beijing, China. It was announced by the World Athletics Council in February 2024, in Glasgow, ahead of the World Indoor Championships.

Beijing was also the host of the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2015 World Athletics Championships. The championships will be held in the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium. Most recently, China has also played host to the 2025 World Indoor Athletics Championships in Nanjing.

Why the closing ceremony and handover matter

The Flag Handover ceremony is a beautiful symbolic gesture that gives closure to the World event, and also for the athletes and the fans. They announce the next host, which starts the next cycle. For some, it’s the ending of something beautiful. For others, it comes with the hope for a better future. And the track and field fans await in eager anticipation for a glorious future of athletics.