IRONMAN has confirmed that its partnership with the city of Nice has been extended through 2028, with the French Riviera destination set to host several world championship triathlons over the coming years.
The announcement includes the 2025 men’s IRONMAN World Championship on Sunday, September 14, as well as the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship events in 2026 and 2028.
The two-day 70.3 championships are scheduled for September 12–13, 2026, with the 2028 edition also planned for September. An option for Nice to host again in 2030 is included in the agreement.
Legacy of triathlon in Nice
Nice has played a prominent role in triathlon history in Europe. It hosted the inaugural Triathlon International de Nice in 1982, and later welcomed the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships five times between 1994 and 2002. Since becoming an IRONMAN venue in 2005, Nice has regularly hosted both IRONMAN France and IRONMAN 70.3 Nice.
It also staged the 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, followed by the men’s and women’s IRONMAN World Championships in 2023 and 2024 respectively. By 2028, Nice will have hosted six IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 world championship events – second only to Kona in overall number.
According to IRONMAN, the events have brought more than €50 million in direct economic impact to the region.
Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropole, and Vice-President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, said “Nice has established itself as a major destination for hosting iconic global sporting events.”
“IRONMAN has played a key role in this dynamic for many years, thanks to the strong partnership we have built over the past 20 years, starting with the very first IRONMAN Nice in 2005.
“Since then, 27 IRONMAN events have been held in Nice, including three World Championships, in 2019 (for the IRONMAN 70.3), 2023, and 2024, all of which have been major sporting, media, and public successes. Nice has undoubtedly made its mark on this discipline, and we now have the great privilege of becoming the European home base for one of the most important events on the global calendar: the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.
“France has long been a leading triathlon nation, and following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, interest in the sport has reached new heights. Nice must continue to lead the way for this sport in our country. We are also proud that some of the world’s best triathletes are local, and we hope they will be just as enthusiastic as we are about hosting this exceptional event, which strongly contributes to our city’s sporting ambition.”
Estrosi continued, “Over the coming years, our region will also be at the heart of another global event, as Nice will host the ice sports games for the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the media center and the closing ceremony.
“These will be sustainable, responsible, and inclusive Games that will once again shine a spotlight on our territory and further strengthen our commitment to sport in Nice. I would like to thank The IRONMAN Group for its trust and this renewed partnership, and I look forward to continuing this great story that has united us for the past 20 years.”
Scott DeRue, CEO of The IRONMAN Group, said “Mayor Estrosi and Ville de Nice are incredible partners in elevating our World Championship events to be world-class experiences for our athletes and the global triathlon community.
“The natural beauty of the coastal Mediterranean city, paired with a rich culture and community who appreciates the highest levels of sporting excellence, makes Nice a global destination that aligns perfectly with our goal to deliver race experiences that inspire athletes to dream and pursue their greatest ambitions in life.
The city of Nice has captured the hearts of our athletes, and their hosting the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in these coming years will be met with great anticipation and enthusiasm by our community. We are truly honoured to extend our longtime partnership with Nice and Mayor Estrosi.”
Beyond triathlon, Nice has built a reputation for staging major sporting events. These have included UEFA Euro 2016, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and recent Olympic football matches as part of Paris 2024. The city also hosted the final stage of the Tour de France in 2024.
