How to watch Challenge Family’s 2025 Championship live and free worldwide

The 2025 Championship Samorin, the flagship event of Challenge Family’s global triathlon series, is set to light up screens around the world with free and unrestricted live streaming on Sunday, May 18. The much-anticipated event, held at the x-bionic sphere sports resort in Samorin, Slovakia, will be broadcast in full via challenge-family.live, offering fans around the globe front-row access to the professional and age-group races without geo-blocks.

The livestream kicks off at 8:15am CEST, with professional men diving in at 8:30am, and the women’s race launching just ten minutes later at 8:40am. Spearheading the commentary is long-time Challenge Family voice Belinda Granger, joined by a host of special guests to bring insight, excitement, and a little triathlon magic to the broadcast.

In keeping with the Challenge Family’s “All About The Athlete” spirit, the livestream will continue throughout the day, showcasing not only the elite battles but also the emotional finish line moments of the record 2,000 age-group athletes.

Elite start list

This year’s professional line-up is stacked with world-class talent, including past champions, Olympic medallists, and rising stars, all eyeing their share of the €100,000 prize purse.

In the men’s field is Germany’s Frederic Funk, a consistent podium finisher at the championship. He is back and hungry for the top step. He’ll face fierce competition, including Justus Nieschlag, also from Germany, fresh from severa; impressive performances across Europe. Denmark’s Kristian Høgenhaug will provide a challenge on the bike, known for his impressive power.

Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee from Great Britain always presents a threat as an Olympic medallist and recent runner-up at Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria. One of the fastest swimmers on the circuit, Slovakia’s Richard Varga, will be laying it all out there in his final professional event on home turf. At the other end of the spectrum, the young phenom, Panagiotis Bitados from Greece, will provide fresh competition to a field full of long-time, experienced elites.

Germany’s Willem Hirsch, and Great Britain’s Tom Bishop and Kieran Lindars are other elites to watch at a championship that could go down to the wire.

Final showdown between Brownlee and Varga

Brownlee shared with the Challenge Family that he’s excited to throw down in Samorin.

“After a good performance in Challenge Gran Canaria, I’ve finally put together a half-distance performance that I’m proud of on my third attempt. But I believe that I can do better and The Championship is a good chance to test myself against the best in the world.

“However, my main reason for racing is to race one last professional race with my good friend and long-time training partner, Richard Varga. Richard has been a massively important person in my career. The friendship and memories we created over our triathlon journey will last a lifetime, and I can’t wait to race with him in one more professional race.”

Women’s field highlights

The women’s race is equally packed with powerhouses and emerging talent, including Spain’s Sara Pérez Sala, the 2022 champion who returns looking to reclaim the crown. Swiss athlete Alanis Siffert is riding high after winning Challenge Taiwan 2025. Sweden’s Anna Bergsten was third in 2024 and will be aiming to climb higher on the podium. Hanna de Vet from Belgium has proven a consistent performer across the circuit, while Denmark’s Katrine Gaesboll Christensen is always a factor in the front pack.

With athletes at the peak of their form, fans can expect fierce battles in both fields, all set against the backdrop of one of Europe’s premier triathlon venues.

Challenge Family’s decision to stream the event live, free, and without geo-restrictions reflects its ongoing commitment to making triathlon more accessible and inclusive for fans worldwide. Whether you’re in Slovakia, Sydney, or San Diego, you can tune in to watch the action unfold in real-time, from the pro start to the emotional final finishers.

More than 90 pros are expected to compete. Get ready to witness one of the year’s most electrifying triathlon spectacles.