IRONMAN has confirmed that Málaga, Spain, will become the newest host city for an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon. The inaugural event is scheduled for October 18, 2026, and bolsters IRONMAN’s presence in Spain.
IRONMAN 70.3 Málaga joins Calella, Barcelona; Valencia; Alcudia, Mallorca; Vitoria-Gasteiz; and Lanzarote, Canary Islands, as one of Spain’s host destinations. The new event takes the place of IRONMAN 70.3 Marbella, which will not return to the 2026 calendar after a six-year tenure that included hosting the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.
The city of Málaga, which is Spain’s sixth largest, is an established hub for international sport, having previously hosted the Málaga Marathon, Davis Cup Finals, and Premier Padel Tour. Served by the Málaga – Costa del Sol Airport, the destination is highly accessible for international athletes and their families.
Francisco de la Torre Prados, Mayor of Málaga, highlighted the economic and promotional benefits for the city, noting that the event will energise sectors such as hospitality and retail. He said “The IRONMAN 70.3 event will help energise key sectors such as hospitality, retail, and services, while at the same time strengthening our image as a modern, open city committed to elite sport and high-quality tourism.”
The race features a sheltered 1.9km swim in the Málaga Port, followed by a single transition area located at Paseo del Parque. The 90km bike course is a one-loop out-and-back route along the coastline, which organisers expect to be the fastest bike course among Spanish IRONMAN 70.3 events. The final leg is a 21.1km flat run along the Malagueta beach promenade, finishing on the city’s Calle Larios.
Thomas Veje Olsen, Managing Director for IRONMAN Europe, Middle East and Africa, said “Spain continues to be one of our strongest markets, with sold-out events and growing demand from athletes worldwide.
“With the majority of our IRONMAN 70.3 races already sold out, or close to sell out status, we expect this to be extremely popular.”
Agustí Pérez, Senior Regional Director for Southern Europe at IRONMAN, said “Marbella has been an incredible host for many years… With Málaga, we are excited to build on this legacy and offer athletes a fresh experience in one of Spain’s most vibrant cities.”
General registration for the October 2026 event will open on January 29, 2026.
