Alghero, a coastal town on the Italian island of Sardinia, will host a new IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in 2026. The new IRONMAN 70.3 Alghero will hold its first edition on June 7, 2026.
Located in the northwest of Sardinia, Alghero is a tourist destination with a history and architecture that includes cobblestone streets and sea-facing walls. The island has a warm climate in June, with an average temperature of 22°C (72°F).
Alghero has a track record in hosting international sporting events, having welcomed the Giro d’Italia Grand Départ in 2017 and the World Triathlon Championship Series in 2025. In 2024, the city saw over 1.5 million tourists, making it the most visited place on the island.
According to IRONMAN, triathlon racing in Europe continues to grow, with Italy gaining popularity. The US-based race organiser noted that all Italian races in 2025 were fully sold out, and the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Venice-Jesolo triathlon has also reached sell-out status.
Raimondo Cacciotto, the Mayor of Alghero, said “Hosting an IRONMAN 70.3 event next June is a source of great pride for us.
“An event of this calibre, which brings together and inspires thousands of athletes and spectators from all over the world, will be an opportunity to showcase the excellence of our territory to an increasingly wider and more international audience. We are confident that it will be a wonderful experience for the entire community and an opportunity for growth for Alghero.”
Thomas Veje Olsen, Managing Director Europe, Middle East and Africa at IRONMAN, said “Triathlon in Italy is in an incredibly strong place with a sold-out event in Jesolo, Europe’s biggest long distance triathlon weekend in Emilia-Romagna with over 6,000 athletes racing in Cervia, and Italy’s Gregory Barnaby winning the inaugural IRONMAN Pro Series in 2024.
“It is the right time to expand our Italian presence, and we are excited to touchdown in Sardinia with the addition of IRONMAN 70.3 Alghero triathlon giving athletes from Italy and around the world the chance to race and visit this beautiful destination.”
The course will feature a sea swim, a single-loop bike ride, and a three-loop run. The race begins with a swim in the Mediterranean Sea, starting from a sandy beach and completing a 1.9km (1.2 mile) loop.
The 90km bike course has 850m of positive climbing. It departs from the harbour and goes south along the coastline for a short loop before continuing north along the beach and around the Natural Park of Porto Conte.
The run course takes athletes south along the coastal road, then back through the old quarter of the city, which features the historic seafront wall. The course returns to the harbour to complete the full loop.
