Athletes from more than 20 countries have entered the 2026 Europe Triathlon Cup – City of Derry in Northern Ireland. The event organiser, North West Triathlon Club, has reported a surge in registrations across both the Europe Triathlon Cup events and Ireland’s Triathlon National Series less than two months before race day.
Competitors from New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, Australia and other countries across Europe are preparing to race in Derry-Londonderry on September 5, 2026. This highlights the city’s appeal as a destination for international triathlon competition.
Supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council and Triathlon Ireland, the Europe Triathlon Cup – City of Derry will combine elite European competition with the Triathlon National Series. The event will feature a full day of racing in and around the River Foyle, Ebrington Square and Derry’s historic quays.
Grace Uí Niallais, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, has welcomed the strength of the international entry field. The event is also seen as a major endorsement of the city’s reputation as a destination for sport.
Uí Niallais said “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Europe Triathlon Cup to Derry. Securing an international event of this calibre is a tremendous endorsement of our city’s growing reputation as a world-class destination for sports events and reflects the hard work and ambition of the North West Triathlon Club and all their partners.”
She went on to say that “This event will showcase our spectacular riverfront to a global audience while bringing hundreds of athletes, coaches, officials and supporters to the city, providing a welcome boost for our local economy. I hope it will inspire the next generation of local athletes by giving them the opportunity to see world-class competition on their doorstep.
“The Europe Triathlon Cup, alongside the Waterside Half Marathon the following day, will make for an outstanding weekend of sport in the city which we’re really looking forward to.”
The Saturday programme will feature Senior Elite Female, Senior Elite Male, Junior Elite Female and Junior Elite Male races alongside the Triathlon National Series Sprint and the City of Derry Aquabike age group races. Friday evening will see young people take part in a triathlon taster session and Kids Fun Run. The Waterside Half Marathon on Sunday is expected to attract more than 4,000 runners, with the aim of creating a festival of sport across the weekend.
Laura Colhoun, Race Director, said “To already have athletes from more than 20 countries committed to racing in Derry is a fantastic endorsement of the event.
“Age group competitors also have a unique opportunity to compete on the same day as leading elite triathletes, all within a spectacular city-centre setting. The combination of elite competition, the Triathlon National Series, our riverside course and fantastic local support will create an incredible atmosphere throughout race day.”
The organising team add that entries across both the Europe Triathlon Cup and Triathlon National Series have accelerated in recent weeks as athletes finalise their late-season racing programmes.
Darren Coombes, Chief Executive Officer at Triathlon Ireland, said “It is outstanding to see the level of interest in both the age group and elite events at this year’s City of Derry Triathlon. We are massively looking forward to welcoming international athletes to the Europe Triathlon Cup – City of Derry, and for our Team Ireland athletes to have the opportunity of a start-line at home.
“As one of the final stops of the 2026 Triathlon National Series, we also look forward to age group athletes gaining all important points as we head towards the conclusion of the series, and for them to have the chance to witness elite racing in action. Bringing those two elements together makes the City of Derry Triathlon a very special event on the calendar.”
