ATHLETISSIMA
A Swiss non-profit association founded in 1977 that organizes the annual Wanda Diamond League Athletissima athletics meeting in Lausanne, serving sports fans, families, youth, and corporate clients through ticketed events, youth programs, and premium hospitality.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersCrissier, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What ATHLETISSIMA does
ATHLETISSIMA is a Swiss non-profit association (Association Athletissima) founded on July 8, 1977 by former 800m runner Jacky Delapierre that organizes an annual international athletics meeting and a portfolio of related community events in Lausanne, Switzerland. The flagship product is the Athletissima main meeting, held at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, which since 2010 has been a permanent fixture of the Wanda Diamond League — the elite 14-meeting international circuit sanctioned by World Athletics. The portfolio is extended by the City Event (urban pole vault and field competitions at Place de la Navigation in Ouchy), a week-long Track Festival encompassing Kids Training, Meet the Stars, Mini-Stars Relay, and Le Défi, and the Coupe des Clubs club-level competition. Athletissima serves four primary segments: individual sports fans and families attending the meeting, corporate clients seeking premium hospitality, youth participants in Track Festival programs, and corporate sponsors/partners led by UBS as main partner alongside Omega, Nike, Wanda Group, Vaudoise, and Gruyère.
The association generates revenue through four streams: ticket sales distributed via the Ticketcorner online and physical retail network, sponsorship and partnership fees, annual Meeting Club VIP memberships priced at CHF 400-600, and bespoke hospitality packages. The technology stack is intentionally lightweight — a WordPress-based website with integrated ticketing, cookie consent management, email marketing, and social media integration — reflecting the event-driven, non-digital-native nature of the product. There is no proprietary AI/ML capability, no mobile app, and no disclosed software product surface beyond the public website and ticketing integration.
Athletissima is led by founder Jacky Delapierre (Executive Director), Pierre Tenger (President), and Adamo Vionnet (Vice-President/Technical Director), supported by a specialized operational team of 11-50 employees and approximately 500 annual volunteers. The association is governed by a board that includes representatives of the City of Lausanne and Canton of Vaud, with no external investors, parent company, or equity funding structure; it operates as a member-based association. Recognition includes the Diamond League's Best Meeting of the Year Worldwide award (2012), World Athletics Gold Certification (2025), Vaud Ambassador status, and Swisstainable programme membership, alongside a sold-out stadium record at the 2025 edition.
ATHLETISSIMA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ATHLETISSIMA
- Legal name
- Association Athletissima
- Website
- https://athletissima.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- A Swiss non-profit association founded in 1977 that organizes the annual Wanda Diamond League Athletissima athletics meeting in Lausanne, serving sports fans, families, youth, and corporate clients through ticketed events, youth programs, and premium hospitality.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ATHLETISSIMA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sports Event Management
- NAICS
- Spectator Sports (7112), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Meet & Invitational Organizers (MPAKADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Amateur Event & Tournament Organizers (Meets, Invitationals, Opens) (MPAKACAL)
Keywords
Where ATHLETISSIMA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Crissier
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
ATHLETISSIMA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Direct ticket sales to spectators attending the annual meeting and City Event, with tickets available through online platform (Ticketcorner) and physical points of sale.
- Sponsorship and Partnerships: Revenue from main partner (UBS), sponsors (Omega, Nike, Wanda Group, Vaudoise, Gruyere), partners (Henniez, Lausanne city, Le Matin, etc.), and medical partner (Hirslanden).
- Meeting Club Memberships: VIP membership tiers at CHF 600 and CHF 400 providing access to privileged seating, cocktails, and exclusive events for corporate clients.
- Hospitality Packages: VIP and hospitality packages offering private cocktails, privileged seating, and exclusive experiences for corporate entertaining.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | CHF 600 Meeting Club tier with main tribune access |
| Subscription | Annual | CHF 400 Meeting Club tier with opposite tribune access |
| Unit Pricing | Per event | UBS Family Package |
| Freemium | Per event | Children's free admission |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
ATHLETISSIMA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Athletissima is a non-profit association that organizes an annual international Wanda Diamond League athletics meeting at Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne, along with the City Event urban competition, the week-long Track Festival with youth programs (Kids Training, Meet the Stars, Mini-Stars Relay, Le Défi), the Club Cup, and corporate hospitality and membership services. The organization sells tickets directly to spectators and offers VIP membership tiers (Meeting Club) and hospitality packages to corporate clients, with additional revenue from sponsorships and public-sector partners.
Product overview
ATHLETISSIMA is a Diamond League athletics meeting organization offering a portfolio of interconnected sports events and services centered around its main annual athletics meeting held at Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne. The core product is the elite Diamond League athletics competition, complemented by the City Event urban competition and the week-long Track Festival featuring youth-focused programs including Kids Training, Meet the Stars, Mini-Stars Relay, and Le Défi. Additional offerings include VIP membership through the Meeting Club, hospitality packages, fan membership (Athletissima Friends), and ticketing services. The organization also supports the Coupe des Clubs club-level competition.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Diamond League Athletics Meeting The flagship athletics competition forming part of the Wanda Diamond League circuit, held annually at Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne featuring elite international track and field athletes.
- City Event Urban athletics competition held at Place de la Navigation in Ouchy, featuring pole vault and other disciplines in a city-center setting open to public attendance.
- Track Festival Week-long athletics festival preceding the main meeting, featuring free events including Kids Training, Meet the Stars, Mini-Stars Relay, and Le Défi, promoting sport for health and sport for all.
- Mini-Stars Relay Family-friendly relay race event held at the Olympic Museum, where children compete in teams grouped by age categories.
- Kids Training Exclusive training experience giving 200 children aged 8 to 15 the opportunity to train alongside Swiss and international athletics stars at Stade Olympique de la Pontaise.
- Meet the Stars Interactive experience allowing children aged 8 to 15 to spend time with top athletes through fun activities before they compete at the main meeting.
- Le Défi (200m Challenge) Open-to-all 200-meter timed running challenge held at Quai Jean-Pascal Delamuraz in Ouchy, designed for all ages and fitness levels with professional timing.
- Coupe des Clubs (Club Cup) Club-level athletics competition featuring Swiss athletics clubs in relay and individual events.
- Meeting Club Athletissima VIP membership association offering preferential ticket access, cocktail events, exclusive after-meeting access, and networking opportunities for corporate and private members, with annual tiers at CHF 600 and CHF 400.
- Hospitality Packages VIP hospitality offerings including private cocktail spaces, privileged seating, and exclusive experiences for clients attending the meeting.
- Athletissima Friends Fan membership program offering priority presale access, exclusive giveaways, and behind-the-scenes content to supporters.
- Ticketing Services Online and on-site ticket sales platform offering various seating categories, family packages with UBS sponsorship, and free admission for children under 14 in designated areas.
Quantifiable outcome
- Best meeting worldwide award in 2012 season
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ATHLETISSIMA
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ATHLETISSIMA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ATHLETISSIMA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- UBScoreMain partner and title sponsor of Athletissima. UBS logo appears prominently on the Athletissima website header. The partnership includes the UBS Family Package offering discounted family tickets.
- OmegacoreLuxury watch brand and sponsor of Athletissima, supporting the Diamond League athletics meeting in Lausanne.
- NikecoreAthletic apparel brand sponsoring the event.
- Wanda GroupcoreInternational conglomerate and sponsor of Wanda Diamond League, which includes Athletissima.
- Vaudoise AssurancesminorRegional insurance company supporting Athletissima as a sponsor.
- GruyereminorSwiss cheese producer and sponsor of the athletics meeting.
- City of LausannecoreThe host city is a key partner, providing support and venue access for the meeting at Stade Olympique de la Pontaise.
- Canton of VaudcoreRegional government partner supporting the event as part of regional sports promotion.
- HirslandenminorPrivate hospital group serving as medical partner for the event.
- RTS (Radio Télévision Suisse)coreSwiss public broadcasting company as TV and radio partner for event coverage.
- Swiss AthleticscoreNational athletics federation; Athletissima is part of Swiss Athletics calendar and hosts Swiss athletes. Joint campaign 'Together on Track' with Weltklasse Zürich.
- Wanda Diamond LeaguecoreAthletissima has been part of the Diamond League circuit since 2010, one of 14 premier athletics meetings worldwide.
- Weltklasse ZürichminorSwiss partner meeting in joint campaign 'Together on Track' promoting diversity and inclusion in Swiss athletics.
- TicketcornercoreOfficial ticketing partner for Athletissima, providing online and physical point-of-sale ticket distribution.
- MobilisminorPublic transport provider offering included travel passes with event tickets in Vaud Mobilis zones.
- INOVILminorParking operator providing included parking with tickets at Riponne and Saint-François car parks.
- EuropcarminorCar rental company as supplier for the event.
- Mövenpick HotelminorHotel supplier for athlete and VIP accommodation.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ATHLETISSIMA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Memorial Van Damme: Memorial Van Damme is Belgium's Diamond League athletics meeting held at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. It mirrors Athletissima in format, scale, sponsorship model, and target audience of European athletics fans and corporate hospitality clients.
- Bislett Games: The Bislett Games is a long-running Diamond League athletics meeting in Oslo with a similar one-night elite format, sponsor-driven revenue model, and storied history of world records - making it a direct comparator to Athletissima in scale and operating model.
- Prefontaine Classic: The Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon is a Diamond League meeting operated by a non-profit with a comparable mix of elite competition, sponsor partnerships (Nike ties), and premium hospitality offerings. Both events share the same Wanda Diamond League calendar slot competition.
- London Athletics Meet: The London Athletics Meet is the UK's Diamond League meeting held at the London Stadium. It competes with Athletissima for top athletes, premium corporate hospitality, and broadcast attention in the European market.
- Meeting de Paris: Meeting de Paris is a Diamond League meeting held annually at the Stade Charléty, organized as a single elite athletics event with hospitality and ticketing comparable to Athletissima. It competes directly for top European athletes and corporate hospitality budgets.
- Weltklasse Zürich: Weltklasse Zürich is Switzerland's other Diamond League athletics meeting and Athletissima's joint campaign partner in 'Together on Track'. Both are non-profit organizers of elite annual track and field meetings in Switzerland with comparable sponsorship and ticketing models.
- Golden Gala (Rome): Golden Gala Pietro Mennea is Italy's Diamond League meeting held in Rome. Like Athletissima, it operates as an annual elite invitational athletics event with corporate sponsorships and ticketed hospitality.
Peers
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ATHLETISSIMA social profiles
Digital presenceATHLETISSIMA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ATHLETISSIMA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
ATHLETISSIMA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ATHLETISSIMA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ATHLETISSIMA
What does ATHLETISSIMA do?
Athletissima is a non-profit association that organizes an annual international Wanda Diamond League athletics meeting at Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne, along with the City Event urban competition, the week-long Track Festival with youth programs (Kids Training, Meet the Stars, Mini-Stars Relay, Le Défi), the Club Cup, and corporate hospitality and membership services. The organization sells tickets directly to spectators and offers VIP membership tiers (Meeting Club) and hospitality packages to corporate clients, with additional revenue from sponsorships and public-sector partners.
Is ATHLETISSIMA a public or private company?
ATHLETISSIMA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ATHLETISSIMA founded?
ATHLETISSIMA was founded in 1977. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ATHLETISSIMA based?
ATHLETISSIMA is headquartered in Crissier, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does ATHLETISSIMA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are sponsorship and Partnerships, meeting Club Memberships and hospitality Packages.
Who are ATHLETISSIMA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Memorial Van Damme, Bislett Games, Prefontaine Classic, London Athletics Meet, Meeting de Paris, Weltklasse Zürich and Golden Gala (Rome). Herculis (Monaco) is listed as a peer.
Does ATHLETISSIMA have an API?
No public API is recorded for ATHLETISSIMA.
What industry is ATHLETISSIMA in?
ATHLETISSIMA's product category is Sports Event Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKADAC, Meet & Invitational Organizers, with a secondary code of MPAKACAL, Amateur Event & Tournament Organizers (Meets, Invitationals, Opens). Its NAICS code is 7112 and its SIC code is 7990.