The Enhanced Games will debut in Las Vegas on May 24, 2026, featuring one of the most controversial formats in modern sport by allowing athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision.
The event will include swimming, speed and strength competitions, but unlike traditional international sport, there will be no bans on substances such as testosterone, EPO or stimulants.
Organizers say the goal is to bring “transparency” to performance improvement in sport.
The concept has drawn strong criticism from anti-doping bodies. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) warned that the event could normalize drug use in sport and encourage younger athletes to use performance-enhancing substances.
Medical experts have also raised concerns about long-term health risks, including cardiovascular strain and organ damage.
Organizers, however, argue that elite sport is already affected by doping and that the Enhanced Games simply eliminates hypocrisy by making enhancement open and regulated rather than hidden.
About 40 athletes are expected to participate, including former Olympians and competitors previously excluded from sanctioned events. Organizers say participants will be medically monitored throughout the competition.
The event is also backed by significant prize money, with payouts designed to attract high-level athletes, although the performances will not be recognized as official world records.
Its supporters describe it as a new era of sport built around individual choice and scientific progress. Critics say it creates pressure to improve performance at any cost and risks turning athletic competition into a controlled pharmaceutical experiment.
The Enhanced Games are scheduled to be broadcast globally when they launch in Las Vegas, marking a marked break from the rules and structure of traditional Olympic sport.
