In a much anticipated head-to-head, multiple Olympic, world and European champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen will line up against world champion and Olympic silver medallist Josh Kerr over 1500m at the London Athletics Meet on July 19.
This will be the first time the pair race each other on British soil. Ingebrigtsen’s last 1500m race in the UK was in 2021 at the Gateshead Diamond League, making this a long-awaited return for the Norwegian star.
Kerr, the reigning world champion, famously upset Ingebrigtsen in Budapest in 2023, adding to his Olympic bronze from 2021.
Olympic 1500m final (Getty)
That victory kicked off a stellar 12-month run for the Scot, which included a world indoor 3000m title in Glasgow, Olympic silver in Paris, a British 1500m record (3:27.79), a world best for two miles indoors (8:00.67), and a British mile record (3:45.34).
“I’ve never shied away from the fact that I’m trying to be the best 1500m runner of our era, and that means winning more titles and running faster times than everyone else,” said Kerr.
“None of it comes easy and we’re all working hard to achieve our goals. For me, that includes racing a bit more this summer, but my goal for the year is simple; I want to defend my world title in Tokyo and everything I do between now and then, including lining up at the London Athletics Meet, is focused on achieving that goal.”
Josh Kerr wins world indoor gold
Ingebrigtsen, however, remains one of the most decorated athletes in the sport. The 24-year-old boasts an incredible 13 European track titles (indoor and outdoor), and most recently claimed double gold in the 1500m and 3000m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in China. He also holds multiple world records, including the indoor 1500m (3:29.63), indoor mile (3:45.14), 2000m (4:43.13), and 3000m (7:17.55), along with the fastest time ever recorded over two miles (7:54.10). His 3:26.73 over 1500m stands as the European record and the fourth-fastest in history.
While Ingebrigtsen has often bounced back from defeats with emphatic wins — including 5000m world titles following 1500m losses to Jake Wightman in 2022 and Kerr in 2023 — the rivalry with Kerr is quickly becoming one of track and field’s most compelling storylines. Notably, Kerr also finished ahead of Ingebrigtsen at the Paris Olympics, taking silver as the Norwegian came in fourth.
Ingebrigtsen said: “I love to race, and the London Diamond League is a perfect fit for my schedule. I’ve recovered well from the indoors and training is going well. I’ve never been afraid to show up and it felt good to come away from the World and European Indoor Championships with four gold medals.
“My focus is now on the summer and returning to Tokyo – where I won my Olympic title in 2021 – to win global gold. Competing in London is a crucial part of my build, and I know the atmosphere will be incredible.”
Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Getty)
The London Athletics Meet – the world’s biggest one-day athletics event – is the eleventh meeting of the 2025 Wanda Diamond League. The series will pay out a record total of $9.24 million in prize money and comprises of 15 events across four different continents, starting with Xiamen on April 26 and concluding with a single final across two days in Zurich (August 27-28).
Cherry Alexander OBE, Strategic Lead for Events at UK Athletics said: “The London Athletics Meet has a proven record of delivering a track and field spectacle for fans that features world-class performances from the very best athletes across the globe going head to head and this year’s event will be no different.
“It is incredible that we have sold over 50,000 tickets already and are well on track for another sellout London Diamond League event, proving that the British public cannot get enough of live athletics in this country. With the UK Athletics Championships heading back to Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, it is going to be an epic summer for athletics fans in the UK.”
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