IRONMAN has confirmed that two new races will be added to the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 European racing calendar, with the addition of IRONMAN 70.3 Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain, and the return of the full-distance IRONMAN Vichy triathlon in France.
In a release, IRONMAN notes that… ‘The 2026 season is already off to a strong start, with Qatar Airways IRONMAN Copenhagen and IRONMAN 70.3 Elsinore triathlons selling out faster than ever before.
‘The former reached capacity just 46 hours after general registration opened – the fastest sell-out in the event’s history and the first IRONMAN triathlon for the 2026 season to sell-out – while IRONMAN 70.3 Elsinore followed just days later.’
The Danish races join IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendée triathlon, which reportedly sold out in a record six days, with the likes of IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia, Zafiro IRONMAN 70.3 Alcudia-Mallorca, IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence and IRONMAN 70.3 Nice triathlons already above or close to 80% full.
The IRONMAN Hamburg European Championship is expected to be the next IRONMAN triathlon to sell out , with fewer than 100 slots reportedly remaining.
The addition of IRONMAN 70.3 Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain and the return of IRONMAN Vichy in France will aim to meet demand for European races and give athletes more opportunities to discover a new start line throughout the year.
IRONMAN 70.3 Vitoria-Gasteiz – July 12, 2026
IRONMAN 70.3 Vitoria-Gasteiz will take place on the same day as the full-distance IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz on July 12, 2026.
Vitoria-Gasteiz, situated in northern Spain, has a long-standing triathlon history, and has so far welcomed six successful editions of the full distance IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz triathlon since launching back in 2019.
IRONMAN adds that… ‘There has been a 43% increase YOY in first timers choosing to do an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, with Spain standing out as one of the most popular travel destinations, attracting nearly 10,000 international athletes to IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races this year.’
The addition of IRONMAN 70.3 Vitoria-Gasteiz provides athletes with an opportunity to race in Spain in the middle of the season; either as a first-timer looking for a new challenge, or as preparation for an IRONMAN triathlon later in the year, such as IRONMAN Calella-Barcelona.
Athletes will start their journey by completing the one-loop ROKA Swim Course in Ulibarri-Gamboa lake, located in the Landa Provincial Park outside Vitoria-Gasteiz. The rolling one and a half loop ZOOT Bike Course will then take athletes on a 90km (56-mile) journey through the region, with highlights including a short segment around the lake, a journey through some of the most scenic towns of the Álava region and even a section of the ‘Camino de Santiago’ – a pilgrimage route.
Transition 2 is situated in the centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz, so athletes can enjoy the cheers from spectators as they rack their bike and begin on the 21.1km (13.1-mile) flat and fast run around the city centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz with a finish line located in the city’s Plaza España.
Provisional 2026 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon calendar in Spain:
- IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia – April 19, 2026 – reportedly 80% full
- IRONMAN 70.3 Alcudia-Mallorca – May 9, 2026 – reportedly 80% full
- Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote – May 23, 2026 – registration open
- IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz – July 12, 2026 –registration open
- IRONMAN 70.3 Vitoria-Gasteiz – July 12, 2026 – registration open
- IRONMAN Calella Barcelona – October 4, 2026 – to open following this year’s edition
IRONMAN Vichy Triathlon – August 23, 2026
The full-distance IRONMAN Vichy triathlon, last held in 2023, will return for the 2026 season. Taking place on the same day as the half distance IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy triathlon, athletes and spectators alike can look forward to a day of racing in the heart of central France.
IRONMAN adds that… ‘With France overtaking Germany as the second largest triathlon market in Europe, the welcomed return of IRONMAN Vichy is set to meet the rising demand of French athletes.
‘This year, around 14,500 French athletes registered to race an IRONMAN or an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon race – a 25% increase on last year. The majority of these athletes (77%) are choosing to compete on home soil, marking the highest percentage ever.’
Located in Auvergne, France, about three hours south of Paris, Vichy is a mosaic of architecture and green spaces, with the mountainous region of Montagne Bourbonnaise on its doorstep. Known as the ‘Queen of Spa Towns’ due to its naturally occurring thermal springs and listed by UNESCO as one of the 11 “Great Spa Towns in Europe”, Vichy is a place to unwind after a race with family or friends.
Vichy has been hosting IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlons since 2015, and during that time has welcome nearly 30,000 athletes to the region. Last weekend, IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy triathlon celebrated its 10th anniversary with over 2,500 athletes reportedly racing in this sold-out edition.
Full details on the course will be revealed in the coming weeks, but athletes can look forward to a 3.8-km (2.4-mile) swim in the calm waters of the Lac d’Allier, a 180-km (112 mile) bike course in the surrounding countryside and a city centre run course adorned with spectators.
Provisional 2026 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon calendar in France:
- IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence – May 17, 2026 – reportedly 75% full
- IRONMAN Tours Metropole – Loire Valley – June 14, 2026 – registration open
- IRONMAN France – June 28, 2026 – registration open
- IRONMAN 70.3 Nice – June 28, 2026 – reportedly 80% full
- IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendée – July 5, 2026 – sold out
- IRONMAN Vichy – August 23, 2026 – Opening on September 4
- IRONMAN 70.3 Vichy – August 23, 2026 – Opening on September 4
