World Triathlon is pleased to announce the dates for the 2026 World Triathlon Championship Finals, which will be held in Pontevedra, Spain. The week-long celebration of triathlon will kick off on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, with the Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony, culminating on Sunday, September 27, crowning the Elite World Champions.
The Championship Finals represent the pinnacle of the World Triathlon annual calendar, crowning world champions across various categories. This prestigious event encompasses elite, U23, Junior, Para Triathlon, and Age-Group world championships for sprint and standard distances and Aquabike, as well as the mixed relay world championships for Junior/U23s, Para triathlon, and Age-Group.
“We are incredibly proud to return to Pontevedra for the 2026 Championship Finals,” said World Triathlon President Antonio Arimany. “Pontevedra, the hometown of five-time World Champion and triathlon legend Javi Gomez Noya, has always been a city that wholeheartedly supports triathlon. We are confident that Pontevedra will once again host a spectacular event, with the entire city rallying behind the triathletes and creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.”
Spain has a strong tradition of hosting world-class triathlon events. In 2024, Torremolinos hosted the Championship Finals, attracting over 4,000 athletes from more than 60 nations, making it one of the largest World Triathlon Championships in history. This year, the Championship Finals will be held in Wollongong, Australia, from October 16 to 20.
The mayor of Pontevedra, Miguel Anxo Lores, said: 'Pontevedra has an exceptional relationship with sports, especially with triathlon. We will do everything in our power to ensure this is the best World Triathlon Championship Final in history. Pontevedra is prepared, has the capacity, and, once again, I am convinced, we will be a reference in organising major sports events.'
Spanish Federation President, José Hidalgo, highlighted that 'the confirmation of Pontevedra as the host city for the 2026 Final is great news for our sport and for Spain. The city maintains a unique relationship with triathlon, forged since that unforgettable 2019 Multisport World Championship and reinforced by the 2023 Championship Final and this year’s Multisport World Championship, which marked a turning point in the way major international events are organised. Pontevedra has always shown commitment, dedication, and full support for our federation and triathletes, and we are confident that it will rise to this highly demanding challenge again. From FETRI, we will work hand in hand with the city council and World Triathlon to ensure that, once again, the name of Pontevedra and Spain shines worldwide.'
DETAILED SCHEDULE
- Thursday 24 September - JUNIOR WOMEN
- Thursday 24 September - JUNIOR MEN
- Thursday 24 September - AG SPRINT
- Friday 25 September - PARATRIATHLON
- Friday 25 September - U23 WOMEN
- Friday 25 September - U23 MEN
- Saturday 26 September - AG STANDARD
- Saturday 26 September - AQUABIKE
- Saturday 26 September - ELITE WOMEN
- Sunday 27 September - JUNIOR/U23 MIXED RELAY
- Sunday 27 September - PARA TRIATHLON MIXED RELAY
- Sunday 27 September - AG MIXED RELAY
- Sunday 27 September - ELITE MEN
