Breaking: WTCS Abu Dhabi elite races postponed amid ongoing unrest in Middle East
News has just come in on changes to the pro triathlon calendar in light of the current conflict
World Triathlon has announced that the planned season opener for the World Triathlon Champion Series in Abu Dhabi will be postponed amidst the war in Iran and ongoing missile strikes across the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi was set to host the opening race of the 2026 World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) from 28-29 March 2026, on Al Hudayriyat Island – the UAE capital’s purpose-built home of sport, endurance, and community participation.
However some racing will still go ahead, just without the elites. In a breaking statement World Triathlon said:
“Abu Dhabi Sports Council and World Triathlon have confirmed that the 2026 Modon World Triathlon Championship Series Abu Dhabi, sponsored by TAQA, will take place as scheduled on 28-29 March, with adjustments to the competition categories.
“All age-group community races, approved by World Triathlon, will proceed according to the previously announced schedule on Hudayriyat Island.
Under the revised plan, the Elite individual races, the Para triathlon Cup and the Elite Mixed Relay event have been postponed to a later date, which will be announced in due course.”
Disruption to travel
Current unrest has already led to widespread travel disruptions, with many long-haul flights previously being routed through hubs like Abu Dhabi cancelled.
The event would have welcomed the world’s top-ranked elite triathletes and para triathletes for a weekend of racing and in a major statement of intent for the new season, the WTCS Abu Dhabi Local Organising Committee, who just signed a new 5-year extension, with the continued support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, had upped the prize purse for the first event of the year.
Winners on the iconic Al Hudayriyat Island sprint-distance course would have taken home USD $28,500, with $18,000 for silver and $12,000 for bronze, the most lucrative regular-season prize purse on the Series calendar.
While 2024 saw the race in Abu Dhabi suddenly cancelled just hours before it was due to start, last year, two-time Olympic medallist Hayden Wilde and eventual women’s World Champion Lisa Tertsch triumphed in a spectacular showdown in the UAE heat.
The statement from World Triathlon continues:
“Organisers have encouraged age-group athletes and triathlon enthusiasts to continue their preparations and participate in the community races, which will be held as originally planned.
“The 2026 World Triathlon Championship Series season is now expected to begin with the second round in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 26 April. According to World Triathlon regulations, if the Abu Dhabi event is rescheduled before the Grand Final, five rounds plus the final will count toward the season’s points total. However, if it is held after the Grand Final, only four rounds plus the final will count.
“Athletes listed on the Abu Dhabi start lists are also eligible, if willing and able, to compete in other events on the World Triathlon calendar between 10 March and 15 April 15, which precede the first round of the 2026 Championship Series in Samarkand.
If demand for participation increases as a result of the adjustment to the Abu Dhabi event programme, the possibility of expanding athlete quotas in those events will be evaluated in coordination with local organising committees.”
Global disruption
As stated above, the season will now begin in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 25 April and then continue in Yokohama, Japan, on 16 May.
In reality, with so much uncertainty surrounding world events and how potential conflicts will unfold this year, it’s possible that we’ll see further disruption to triathlon events globally, both on an elite and age-group level. Above all, our thoughts and solidarity are with those embroiled in ongoing conflicts globally.
Follow any breaking news and updates on 220Triathlon.com
Helen Webster
Editor, 220 Triathlon 
