Abu Dhabi to host 2026 World Triathlon Multisport Championships, Edmonton on deck for 2027
Photo by:
World Triathlon
World Triathlon has announced that the World Triathlon Multisport Championships will take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2026, while Edmonton, Alb., Canada will host the 2027 championships.
The Multisport World Championships include duathlon, cross duathlon, long-distance triathlon, long-distance aqua bike, aquathlon and cross triathlon. The festival typically includes seven to 10 days of racing, with over 3,000 athletes participating.
The first Multisport World Championships were held in Penticton, British Columbia, home of Ironman Canada. Since then the championships have been held in Fyn, Denmark (2018) and Pontevedra, Spain (2019). Because of the pandemic the 2021 championships were held in three locations, Almere, the Netherlands (long-distance and aqua bike), Aviles, Spain (duathlon) and El Anillo, Spain (cross triathlon and aquathlon). In 2022 the event was also split – long-distance triathlon, aquathlon and aquabike in Samorin, Slovakia, while Targu Mures, Romania hosted the duathlon, cross triathlon and cross duathlon. This year Ibiza, Spain hosted all the events. Next year’s event moves to Townsville, Queensland, Australia, while the 2025 championships return to Pontevedra, Spain.
The Life of Tri: Australia and the world of triathlon with Eric Wynn
“We are delighted to see the continued commitment of Abu Dhabi with our sport,” said World Triathlon President and IOC member Marisol Casado. “They have shown year after year the desire to grow triathlon and to host the world’s best athletes in a remarkable setting. After years of hosting outstanding WTCS action, it is hugely exciting to know that the Multisport World Championships will be the next top-level event to benefit from the formidable experience and dedication of Abu Dhabi as well as Edmonton.”
Edmonton has hosted three world championships in the last 20 years, most recently the 2021 Championship Finals and now adds a fourth worlds to the mix with the 2027 worlds.
