diff --git a/tests/benchmarks/conftest.py b/tests/benchmarks/conftest.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..082ae49b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/benchmarks/conftest.py
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+import pytest
+
+
+def pytest_collection_modifyitems(
+    config: pytest.Config, items: list[pytest.Item]
+) -> None:
+    # Benchmarks are intentionally skipped unless explicitly requested with --codspeed
+    # to avoid slowing down regular test runs, and to run them only on
+    # supported Python versions (e.g. Pydantic v1 only up to Python 3.13).
+    run_codspeed = bool(getattr(config.option, "codspeed", False))
+
+    if run_codspeed:
+        return
+
+    skip_marker = pytest.mark.skip(
+        reason="Benchmark tests are skipped by default; run with --codspeed."
+    )
+
+    for item in items:
+        item.add_marker(skip_marker)