From local sprint triathlons to World Championship qualifiers — browse the 2026 race calendar, find your perfect event, and get everything you need to show up ready.
Our editorial team's picks for the most exciting, well-organized, and bucket-list-worthy triathlon events of the year.
The longest-running IRONMAN race outside of Kona. A stunning full-distance course through New Zealand's volcanic heartland — swim in Lake Taupō, bike through the countryside, run along the waterfront.
The opening round of the 2026 World Triathlon Championship Series. Watch the world's best elite triathletes race Olympic-distance on a stunning Middle Eastern course.
A classic early-season benchmark race in Southern California. Ocean swim, fast bike through Camp Pendleton, and a flat run along the beach. Nearing capacity — register fast.
The North American Championship full-distance race. Fast swim in Lake Woodlands, punchy bike course, and a run through The Woodlands town center. A top qualifier for Kona slots.
Sprint to Ironman — all distances, all levels. Filter by distance to find your race.
The longest-running IRONMAN race outside of Kona. A stunning full-distance course through New Zealand's volcanic heartland — swim in Lake Taupō, bike through the countryside, run along the waterfront.
Entry from
NZD $895
A fast, flat 70.3 course on the shores of Lewisville Lake. One of the most popular early-season half-distance races in the US — sold out in record time for 2026.
Entry from
Sold Out
The opening round of the 2026 World Triathlon Championship Series. Watch the world's best elite triathletes race Olympic-distance on a stunning Middle Eastern course.
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Spectator event
A classic early-season benchmark race in Southern California. Ocean swim, fast bike through Camp Pendleton, and a flat run along the beach. Nearing capacity — register fast.
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$375
A flat, fast 70.3 on the Gulf Coast. Galveston's bay swim, a wind-exposed bike leg across the island, and a straightforward run make this a great early-season race.
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$325
The North American Championship full-distance race. Fast swim in Lake Woodlands, punchy bike course, and a run through The Woodlands town center. A top qualifier for Kona slots.
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$825
Round 2 of the 2026 WTCS in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand. A spectacular backdrop for elite draft-legal racing.
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Spectator event
Set amid Utah's dramatic red rock landscape, this race is the North American Championship for the 70.3 distance. Notoriously windy on the bike — fast athletes and stunning scenery.
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$395
A multi-day festival of multisport racing including Aquabike, Duathlon, Aquathlon, and more. No qualification required for most events. Great atmosphere on Lake Michigan.
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$150
A brand-new full-distance IRONMAN along Florida's Atlantic coastline. Open-water swim in the St. Johns River, flat and fast bike, and a waterfront run through downtown Jacksonville.
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$825
One of the most beloved stops on the WTCS circuit. Elite draft-legal racing along Yokohama's waterfront — always produces fast times and dramatic finishes.
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Spectator event
A gorgeous Gulf Coast 70.3 with a saltwater swim in the emerald waters of Panama City Beach. Flat bike and run course — excellent for a half-distance PR attempt.
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$325
One of the toughest full-distance races on the planet. Volcanic landscape, brutal winds on the bike, and relentless heat. A bucket-list race for serious long-course athletes.
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€595
The Mediterranean backdrop of Sardinia hosts Round 4 of the WTCS. Turquoise water, cobblestone run course, and elite racing at its finest.
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Spectator event
Jump off a ferry into the frigid San Francisco Bay and swim to shore from Alcatraz Island. Then bike the Marin Headlands and run through the city. Lottery entry required — one of the most iconic triathlons in the world.
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$486
A beloved course through the Rocky Mountain foothills. Swim at Boulder Reservoir, bike through stunning canyon roads, run along Boulder Creek. Fast sell-out every year.
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$375
Earn your national title at the long course distance. A challenging New England course with a freshwater swim, hilly bike, and scenic run.
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$175
Elite draft-legal racing on the beautiful Brittany peninsula. Round 5 of the WTCS on one of France's most picturesque Atlantic coastlines.
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Spectator event
A legendary full-distance race along the French Riviera. Swim in the Baie des Anges, bike through the Alps, and run the Promenade des Anglais to the finish. Stunning and brutal in equal measure.
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€595
One of the biggest triathlon events in the world with over 10,000 age group participants alongside the elite WTCS race. Swim in the Alster, bike through the city, run past the finish line crowds.
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$195
A legendary full-distance race through the Adirondack Mountains. Double-loop swim in Mirror Lake, two-loop bike through the mountains, and a run through the iconic Olympic village.
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$825
Elite triathlon in the heart of London with the Houses of Parliament as a backdrop. One of the most prestigious stops on the World Triathlon Championship Series circuit.
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Spectator event
Half-distance racing in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies. A scenic and challenging course that rewards strong cyclists. Great summer racing in one of Canada's most beautiful cities.
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CAD $395
A quintessential New England 70.3. Swim in Lake Cobbosseecontee, bike through rolling Maine farmland, and run through downtown Augusta. Cool summer temps make for fast racing.
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$325
The premier youth triathlon competition in the US. Future stars of the sport compete for national titles and opportunities to represent Team USA internationally.
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$125
Full-distance racing in Canada's capital city. Swim in the Ottawa River, bike through the scenic Gatineau Hills, and run a finish line loop through downtown Ottawa.
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CAD $895
Represent your age group on the national stage. Sprint and Olympic distance races on a fast Lake Michigan course. Earn your slot for the Age Group World Championships.
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$185
Northern California's premier 70.3 on Shasta Lake. Warm summer conditions, beautiful scenery, and a challenging course through the Sacramento Valley foothills.
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$325
Long-course national championship racing in the Finger Lakes region of New York. No qualification required — open to all USAT members looking to compete at the ultra distance.
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$185
One of the largest triathlons in North America. Swim in Lake Michigan, bike along Lake Shore Drive, and run through Grant Park. Sprint, Olympic, and Triple Challenge distances available.
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$265
A full-distance IRONMAN in the heart of France's spa country. Swim in the Allier River, bike through the Auvergne countryside, and run through the historic thermal resort town of Vichy.
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€595
Round 8 of the WTCS on China's Shandong peninsula. Elite draft-legal racing with the Yellow Sea as a backdrop.
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Spectator event
One of the most scenic triathlons in the country at Zuma Beach, set against the backdrop of the Pacific Coast Highway. Sprint and Olympic distances available. Celebrity-friendly and beginner-welcoming.
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$173
The pinnacle of the 70.3 distance. Qualification required. Swim in the Mediterranean, bike through the French Alps, and run the Promenade des Anglais. Nice hosts the championship for the second time.
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Qualification required
A fan favorite full-distance race around Lake Monona in downtown Madison. Famous for its electric crowd support and challenging rolling bike course through the Wisconsin countryside.
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$825
Round 9 of the WTCS in the stunning spa town of Karlovy Vary. Elite racing through one of Europe's most architecturally beautiful cities.
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Spectator event
The culminating event of the 2026 World Triathlon Championship Series. Crowns the world champions across elite and age group categories in the beautiful Galician city of Pontevedra.
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$195
San Diego's premier triathlon at Liberty Station in Point Loma. Swim in San Diego Bay, bike through the peninsula, and run through NTC Park. Sprint and Olympic distances in one of America's most beautiful race settings.
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$150
The most iconic race in triathlon. Men and women compete on the same day for the first time since 2019. Qualification required through IRONMAN-sanctioned races worldwide. The ultimate bucket-list event.
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Qualification required
Swim the Hudson River, bike through Central Park, and run along Riverside Drive in one of the world's great cities. Sprint and Olympic distances with a dramatic Manhattan skyline backdrop.
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$499
San Diego's beloved Mission Bay Triathlon. Sprint and Olympic distances on the calm, protected waters of Mission Bay — a perfect race for beginners and seasoned athletes alike. One of Southern California's most popular fall triathlons.
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$125
The longest-running triathlon held at the same location in the world. The Cal Tri National Championship Race at Newport Dunes offers Sprint, Olympic, and SwimRun formats on one of Southern California's most scenic courses.
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$139
A late-season Olympic-distance triathlon in Long Beach — 1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run in the warm Southern California fall. A great season closer for LA and OC athletes.
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$145
Half-distance racing in Australia's cultural capital. Swim in Port Phillip Bay, bike through the Mornington Peninsula, and run along the Melbourne waterfront. A bucket-list race for Australasian athletes.
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AUD $395
The PTO T100 World Tour comes to Dubai for a spectacular pro women's race and age-group racing over the 100km distance. A world-class event in one of sport's most glamorous venues.
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$250
The Middle East regional championship for the 70.3 distance. Fast, flat course in warm November conditions. An ideal late-season race for athletes chasing a 70.3 PB or a spot at Worlds.
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$395
Florida's premier late-season half-distance race in Haines City. Swim in Lake Eva, bike through the rolling Central Florida countryside, and run a fast lakeside course. Warm December conditions make for ideal racing.
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$483
The season-ending T100 World Championship crowning the best long-course triathletes on the planet. Pro men and women compete on the same weekend, with age-group racing over the 100km distance.
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Qualification required
One of South America's most iconic triathlon races at the foot of the Villarrica volcano in Chilean Patagonia. Swim in crystal-clear Lago Villarrica, bike through volcanic scenery, and run through the adventure capital of Chile.
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$295
The world's longest-running IRONMAN outside of Kona returns to Taupō for 2027. Swim in the volcanic waters of Lake Taupō, bike through the North Island's stunning landscape, and run along the lakefront to one of the great finish lines in the sport.
Entry from
NZD $895
The popular early-season 70.3 returns to Little Elm for 2027. A flat, fast course on Lewisville Lake — perfect for a spring season opener or setting a new half-distance PB. Registration typically sells out fast.
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$375
Race weekend is the culmination of weeks or months of training — and it can also be the most chaotic, logistically complex 48 hours of your life if you haven't done it before.
The expo, the packet pickup, the bike racking, the transition walk-through, the nervous dinner, the 4am alarm — we'll walk you through all of it so you arrive at the start line calm, prepared, and ready to race.
The athletes who handle race weekend best are the ones who've done most of the thinking in advance. Use our guide below, stick to your plan, and save your mental energy for the race itself.
Racing somewhere new adds a layer of logistical complexity — and infinite adventure. Here's how to manage the former so you can enjoy the latter.
Book accommodation within 20 minutes of transition if possible
Research bike shipping vs. rental well in advance (3+ months)
Always add one extra race day's worth of nutrition in your luggage
Check weather forecasts obsessively starting 5 days before race day
Ask your hotel if they have secure bike storage — not all do
Know the nearest hospital or urgent care, just in case
The sport is challenging. The community makes it worth it. Here's how to engage beyond just racing.
Volunteering at a triathlon before you race one is the single best education you can get. You'll see transitions, nutrition stations, and finish lines from every angle. Most major races always need volunteers.
Bring a race map, spot your athlete at multiple points, and know where the jumbotron will be. Pro tip: the swim exit is always worth the early alarm — it's the most dramatic two minutes of the race.
Most race weekends have informal athlete meetups the day before. Check race social media groups, look for tri club banners at the expo, and introduce yourself. The triathlon community is genuinely one of the friendliest in sport.
Browse our full race calendar, plan your season, and join 40,000+ triathletes who train, race, and improve together in the Triathlon Universe community.