FEATURE

ITU opens bidding for World Triathlon Series

By International Triathlon Union (ITU)

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has opened bidding for the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Series, as well as the 2019 ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final.

“Triathlon as a sport continues to grow at a rapid rate, attracting hundreds and thousands of athletes to races,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. “The World Triathlon Series brings the world’s best athletes to a city, while also offering it international exposure as the races are broadcast live to a global audience. The Series is an ideal way for a city to promote a healthy lifestyle to its citizens, while also enjoying widespread international attention.”

The ITU World Triathlon Series (WTS) is the premier triathlon series in the world and features the top triathletes racing head-to-head in cities around the globe. In addition to competing for the title of World Champion, athletes vie for a total prize purse of over $2-million USD, the greatest cumulative prize purse in triathlon.

The Series is comprised of standard and sprint distance events, with one race also selected to host the Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships, and culminates at the Grand Final. The World Triathlon Series Grand Final also is host to the ITU Age Group World Championships and draws upwards of 5,000 athletes and over 10,000 support crew to the event.  

Hosting a WTS event offers cities the opportunity to showcase themselves to millions of people via a live international television broadcast in addition to attracting thousands of international guests and race participants. Annual on-site spectators for the Series are upwards of 1.2 million.

In addition an hour long magazine show is produced from each event, as well as live internet coverage, social media exposure and worldwide news distribution.

While ITU accepts bids for WTS races annually, local organising committees have the opportunity to present a multi-year bid. Cities interested in hosting a race on the 2017 World Triathlon Series calendar must submit their bid to ITU by May 2, 2016, with successful cities will be notified following the ITU Executive Board meeting on 10 June, 2016.

Cities interested in organising the 2019 ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final must submit their bid for to ITU by May 16, 2016, and should be prepared to present their bids to the ITU Excutive Board in person at their meeting on June 10, 2016. Successful cities will be notified on or before August 22, 2016.


Click here to download the bid document for the 2017 World Triathlon Series
Click here to download the bid document for the 2019 Grand Final