Supertri has unveiled an ambitious new direction for 2026, announcing a unified race model that will bring elite and mass participation athletes together under a single event structure, alongside an expanded international calendar.
The international short-course triathlon specialist says the new approach is designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the sport, with an expected 30,000 professional and amateur athletes racing across North America and Europe as part of the restructured series.
At the heart of the plan is the integration of the elite Supertri League into selected mass participation events. Rather than operating as a standalone product, top-level racing will now sit alongside amateur competition, with professional athletes qualifying through these events for a new Supertri League final. That final is set to feature what Supertri describes as the largest one-day prize purse in triathlon in 2026.
Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Michael D’Hulst says the strategy reflects a deliberate focus on quality, growth and inspiration across all levels of the sport.
“I’m very excited about Supertri in 2026 because we’re doubling down on premium quality events and inspiration as well as expanding.
“We’re proud to be growing triathlon with a structure that delivers a long-term, financially sustainable future for the sport.”
According to D’Hulst, the decision to place elite and amateur athletes within the same event environment is about more than logistics. He believes the proximity of world-class racing can help draw new participants into triathlon, while also creating more meaningful and visible racing opportunities for professionals.
The expanded 2026 calendar will feature races at two of Supertri’s most significant recent acquisitions: the Blenheim Palace Triathlon in the UK and the New Jersey State Triathlon in the United States. Alongside its ownership of the Chicago Triathlon, Supertri now controls two of the internationally recognised ‘Big Five’ short-course events, measured by participation numbers. Further acquisitions are expected to be announced in the coming months as the organisation continues to scale its portfolio.
D’Hulst says the broader vision remains firmly focused on inclusivity and athlete experience.
“We’re building on our belief that triathlon must deliver for all. That means encouraging new athletes into the sport with inclusive race opportunities, offering a platform for growth and exceptional event experiences for seasoned competitors.”
Support for the new model has also come from within the professional ranks. Supertri confirmed that the structure has been developed with backing from its Athlete Advisory Group, which is made up of elite competitors.
In a statement, the group highlighted the importance of innovation and long-term thinking within the sport.
“Since its inception, Supertri has been at the cutting edge of innovation in the sport. Its plans to bring professionals and amateurs closer together in a way that champions elite level racing and uses that as a platform to inspire new people into the sport is very exciting and the next natural step in its journey.
“We believe this new model will deliver for all for the long-term and we are excited to be part of it.”
Alongside the calendar expansion, Supertri also confirmed it will pause the Supertri E world championship in 2026. The decision follows the International Olympic Committee’s move to cancel its planned Esports Games, which had provided a broader platform for virtual racing formats.
Supertri says further details on its 2026 initiatives, including event specifics and qualification pathways, will be announced in the coming weeks. For now, the message is clear: the organisation is betting that closer alignment between elite spectacle and grassroots participation is the key to the next phase of triathlon’s evolution.