IRONMAN has announced that the IRONMAN 70.3 Series is set to return to Sri Lanka next year with the IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo triathlon taking athletes back to the island nation for the first time since 2019.
Sri Lanka was originally launched as a destination by IRONMAN in 2018. Returning next year, the IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo triathlon will take place on February 22, 2026, offering athletes the opportunity to take on a fast and scenic course in the heart of Colombo.
Buddhika Hewawaram, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, said “The return of IRONMAN 70.3 racing to Colombo is more than a sporting milestone. It affirms Sri Lanka’s growing stature as a premier destination for sports, wellness, and world-class experiences.
“This flagship event showcases our natural beauty, resilient spirit, and readiness to host the world. As we welcome global athletes and spectators, we offer not just a race, but a journey through a land of heritage, hospitality, and heart.”
Rajan Thananayagam, Director of local event organiser Serendib Multisport, said “We’re thrilled to welcome the IRONMAN Ohana back to Colombo.
“In 2018 and 2019, athletes told us how much they loved our race and Sri Lanka’s legendary hospitality. Most of them extended their stay to a race holiday, enjoying a much-needed rest and recovery, relaxing at the beaches down south or up in the hill country, making their visit to our island a memorable one. In 2026, we’re ready to make it even more unforgettable.”
The event will take place in the heart of Sri Lanka’s capital city, with the race venue shifting slightly from Galle Face, which hosted the last edition, to the newly built Port City.
Racing will begin at the Colombo Port City beachfront with a one-loop 1.9-km swim in the Indian Ocean along the warm, sheltered waters of Colombo Port City’s breakwater.
Athletes will then progress to a flat and fast three-loop 90-km bike course that takes them through the wide roads of the Port City and the City of Colombo, riding past historical and modern architecture set against the backdrop of the evolving city skyline. The route weaves through urban and coastal corridors, offering both speed and scenic variety.
The 21.1km run is a two-lap coastal course that starts and finishes at Colombo Port City, running along the beach against the backdrop of the ocean and city viewss.
Jeff Edwards, Managing Director of Asia for The IRONMAN Group, said “We’re thrilled to be returning to Sri Lanka for the first time since 2019 for an event that quickly earned a reputation as one of the most scenic and accessible races in the region.
“Athletes swam in the calm waters off Galle Face Green, biked along wide open roads that swept past historic sites and modern skylines, and ran along the oceanfront as crowds cheered them home.
“The race attracted athletes from 63 countries in its debut year, becoming an instant favorite among international racers, and now Colombo is ready to welcome athletes back to the region.”
Colombo will provide more than just a race venue, offering an experience steeped in local culture and character. Athletes will hear traditional Kandyan drums at sunrise as they prepare for the swim. They will pass colonial-era architecture and bustling city streets on the bike. According to IRONMAN… ‘They will feel the energy of a city that has embraced triathlon with open arms.’
Athletes racing at the IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo triathlon will have the opportunity to secure themselves a place on the start line of the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon, with qualification slots on offer.
Entries for the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo triathlon open on 27 August, 2025.
