Triathlon Ontario releases list of age group worlds qualifier venues
If you're hoping to qualify for the 2026 world championships, here are the races where you can book your ticket this year
The triathlon season is still a few months away, but Triathlon Ontario has announced which races will have age group qualifying spots for the 2026 world championships. There are a number of events you can qualify for, and if you win your age group at any of these qualifying races, you’ll book your ticket to the 2026 worlds in Pontevedra, Spain, or Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Race options
Pontevedra has welcomed the world’s age group multi-sport athletes before, and in 2026, the city will play host to age groupers in the sprint and olympic-distance triathlon, the aquabike (a swim-bike race), and the mixed team relay. In Abu Dhabi, age groupers will race the sprint and standard duathlons, the long-distance triathlon, the long-distance aquabike, the aquathlon (a swim-run race), and the cross triathlon and duathlon.
There is no “wrong” choice when it comes to trying to qualify for the worlds. Either city will provide an amazing atmosphere and experience for all participants. If you’re keen to race, you could look at the financial side of the events to decide which to shoot for (both are big investments, but a trip to Spain is likely cheaper than one to Abu Dhabi).
You could also look at your options and pick based on the event that you think you’ll have the best shot of winning in your age group. Any of these qualifying events is sure to be competitive, but you have to assume that the triathlon will have a bigger field than the aquabike.
Where to race
Below are each of the races across Ontario at which you can qualify for the worlds.
Sprint triathlon
June 15 – Subaru Series Guelph Lake 1Â (1 spot)
July 27 – Toronto Triathlon Festival (1 spot)
August 23 – MultiSport Canada Wasaga Beach (1 spot)
Standard triathlon & aquabike
June 21 – MultiSport Canada Rose City (1 spot each discipline)
July 20 – Subaru Series Owen Sound (1 spot each discipline)
July 27 – Toronto Triathlon Festival (1 spot triathlon only)
September 7 – MultiSport Canada Lakeside (1 spot each discipline)
Sprint duathlon
June 14 – Subaru Series Guelph Lake 1Â (1 spot)
July 23 – MultiSport Canada Bracebridge (1 spot)
Standard duathlon
June 7 – MultiSport Canada Gravenhurst (1 spot)
July 20 – Subaru Series Owen Sound (1 spot)
Long course triathlon & aquabike
July 20 – MultiSport Canada K-Town (1 spot)
September 14 – Niagara Falls Barrelman (1 spot)
Aquathlon
Mid-August (date TBD) – Triathlon Ontario’s Aquathlon Provincial Championships (1 spot)
Mixed team relay
August 3 – Triathlon Ontario’s Draft Legal Provincial Championships (3 spots)
Cross triathlon & duathlon
Date and location TBD.