The World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS), which was won by British Olympic champion Alex Yee in 2024 following his success at the Paris Olympics, is set to make a comeback to London in 2026 during the London T100 Triathlon weekend.
The upcoming London WTCS race has received funding from the National Lottery through UK Sport in collaboration with British Triathlon. It will mark the return of the event to the capital after a hiatus since 2015 and is scheduled to take place on July 25-26, 2026.
Situated at the Excel Centre, the event will be organized by the PTO and London Marathon Events as part of the popular London T100 Triathlon weekend. The previous edition of the event saw nearly 6,000 amateur participants, including notable sports figures and celebrities like Adam Peaty, Billy Monger, and Gordon Ramsay with his family.
The decision by the PTO and World Triathlon to replace the professional T100km distance races for 2026, which were won by Lucy Charles-Barclay and Hayden Wilde in the previous year, with the shorter WTCS format has been finalized. The amateur segment of the weekend will continue to offer the PTO’s signature 100km triathlon as well as Olympic, Sprint, and Relay options.
“The return of a WTCS race to London is a significant development for our sport, allowing triathlon to capitalize on the outstanding performances of the British team at the Paris Olympics last year,” stated Sam Renouf, the PTO CEO.
“The collaboration with World Triathlon, which entails a 12-year strategic partnership to enhance the sport’s growth, and the local partnership with British Triathlon exemplify our commitment to engaging grassroots and new audiences and ensuring a lasting legacy post-event,” Renouf added.
The PTO’s long-term agreement with World Triathlon, announced in October 2024 and extending until 2036, aims to explore new opportunities to expand the sport jointly. This collaboration has already led to the introduction of shorter distance events alongside the T100 Tour, including the T1 Indoor World Cup in France and WTCS races in various locations like France and Australia.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the PTO and World Triathlon in bringing the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) to London,” remarked Hugh Brasher, the CEO of London Marathon Events, highlighting the successful partnership with the PTO since 2024.
Antonio F. Arimary, the President of World Triathlon, noted, “The adaptability to work with the PTO on diverse professional triathlon distances to align with various opportunities is a key aspect of this announcement. WTCS races, known for their speed and intensity over shorter distances, complement the current road permit standards in London, making it a fitting choice for the event.”
The collaboration between the PTO and British Triathlon to promote the event and engage audiences for increased participation underscores the commitment to fostering a thriving grassroots program with lasting positive effects beyond the race weekend.
Ruth Daniels, CEO of British Triathlon, emphasized the excitement surrounding the return of a major event to London, highlighting the opportunity for British athletes to showcase their talents in front of a supportive home crowd and engage with new fans and volunteers.
UK Sport’s Head of Major Events, Esther Britten, expressed the organization’s dedication to utilizing National Lottery funding to secure top-tier sporting events that offer fans the chance to cheer on British athletes. Additionally, the event series is expected to have a beneficial impact on local communities in London by providing engaging participation and volunteering opportunities and promoting positive environmental practices.
The announcement adds to the positive developments in London’s sports scene, following recent initiatives supporting women’s sports events and the successful hosting of events like the London T100 Triathlon weekend, contributing to a vibrant sports calendar in the city.