Enhanced Games debut in Las Vegas this weekend

The Enhanced Games are scheduled to make their debut in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 24, with organizers offering a one-day program that openly permits performance-enhancing drugs under what they describe as medical and clinical supervision. The event will be held at a purpose-built venue at Resorts World Las Vegas and streamed free across Roku, YouTube, Rumble, Twitch and Kick, according to the company and coverage by LetsRun. Organizers say the meet will feature sprinting, swimming, weightlifting and strongman events, with dozens of athletes competing for prize money and record bonuses. Anti-doping bodies, including the World Anti-Doping Agency, have condemned the concept as “dangerous and irresponsible.” ### When and where does the event actually start? May 24 is the competition date listed on the Enhanced Games’ official site, which says the event will take place live from Las Vegas at a custom-built arena outside Resorts World. The official viewing guide says opening events begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, or 3:30 p.m. local time in Las Vegas, before the main program starts at 9 p.m. ET. (enhanced.com) Sydney Morning Herald reported that Australian viewers will see preliminary events and a “blue carpet” beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday AEST, with main events from 11 a.m. AEST. That timing aligns with the Sunday evening schedule in the United States. ### What sports are on the program? (enhanced.com) Enhanced says the 2026 event will center on swimming, track, weightlifting and strongman in a single venue. The official stream guide lists men’s and women’s 100-meter sprints, men’s and women’s 50-meter freestyle races, and a deadlift showdown between Hafthor Bjornsson and Mitchell Hooper among the featured contests. Canadian Running reported that 42 athletes are slated to compete across three core disciplines: men’s and women’s 100 meters, 50-meter freestyle swimming and weightlifting. (sports.yahoo.com) Enhanced’s own site separately says 50 athletes will take part, reflecting a broader roster that includes strongman competitors. (enhanced.com) ### Which athletes are the biggest names? Fred Kerley, the 2022 world 100m champion, is one of the most prominent names attached to the event. Enhanced announced his signing last year, calling him its first track athlete, while Canadian Running said he is expected to headline the Las Vegas program. (runningmagazine.ca) Roku’s announcement listed other participants including swimmer Ben Proud, weightlifter Boady Santavy, swimmer Hunter Armstrong and sprinter Tristan Evelyn. The official stream guide also names Kristian Gkolomeev, Reece Prescod and Megan Romano among the athletes scheduled to appear. ### How does the format differ from normal elite sport? (enhanced.com) Enhanced says it is “a new global sports competition” that embraces “measurable performance enhancement under regulated conditions.” Roku’s release said athletes in its medical program were monitored under an approved clinical trial for 16 weeks while training in the United Arab Emirates, and that competitors can choose to participate naturally or through the company’s enhancement program. (enhanced.com) The World Anti-Doping Agency said in a 2025 statement that it condemned the Games as “dangerous and irresponsible.” World Aquatics separately moved last year to bar athletes who participate in events that promote doping from its competitions, according to reports citing the federation’s bylaw change. ### What money is at stake? (enhanced.com) Enhanced said each individual event carries a total purse of $500,000, with $250,000 going to first place. The company has also advertised $1 million bonuses for breaking world records in the men’s 100 meters and 50-meter freestyle. Canadian Running reported the overall prize pool at $25 million, while noting that any marks set at the Enhanced Games would not count as official world records. (wada-ama.org) ### How can people watch it? LetsRun reported that viewers can watch the first Enhanced Games for free on Sunday night. Enhanced’s official guide says opening events will be available on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch and Kick, while Roku will carry the North American stream for the main show beginning at 9 p.m. (enhanced.com) ET. (runningmagazine.ca) May 24 is also the date listed for the closing performance by The Killers on the official site, while Roku’s release says the band is set to headline the closing ceremonies after competition ends in Las Vegas. (enhanced.com) (letsrun.com)