World Triathlon will host the postponed WTCS Abu Dhabi races in November as part of the region’s World Triathlon Multisport Championships on Hudayriyat Island – and has confirmed that Olympic qualifying points will be up for grabs.
Originally planned to take place at the end of March – before the LA28 process got underway – the individual men’s and women’s events, Mixed Team Relay and the Para competitions were put on hold due to the ongoing conflict between America and Iran.
As a result, the opening race of the WTCS season was delayed until April’s trip to Samarkand, with officials stating that they remained keen to find a suitable replacement date for Abu Dhabi.
Opportunity to earn valuable LA28 points
With the Olympic qualification period having started in May, it now means that athletes competing in Abu Dhabi will have the opportunity to earn valuable points in their quest to reach the Los Angeles Games.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, World Triathlon said the newly announced weekend ‘promises to be a magnificent celebration of multisport’ as thousands of athletes from around the globe compete across a range of disciplines.
Both WTCS individual sprint races are now scheduled for Friday, November 13, with the Mixed Team Relay being held on Saturday, November 14 – serving as an ideal opener to the Multisport Championships, which will then continue from the 14th through to Sunday, November 22.
The Multisport Championships will crown the Elite, U23, Junior, Para, and Age-group world champions in duathlon, cross triathlon, cross duathlon, aquathlon, long-distance triathlon, and aquabike.
Creating something truly special
On top of the chance to enhance their Olympic qualification, the WTCS races will also offer athletes the opportunity to earn World Triathlon Ranking points and compete for the regular prize money of WTCS and Mixed Relay Series events.
However, the races will not have any bearing on the 2026 World Triathlon Championship Series itself, with the three remaining events scheduled for London, Weihai and Karlovy Vary over the next two months, before the final in Pontevedra, Spain, on Wednesday, September 23.
“I want to thank our Abu Dhabi stakeholders, particularly Abu Dhabi Sports Council, for their commitment and support in helping bring the World Triathlon Championship Series back to Abu Dhabi and alongside one of our biggest events of the year,” said World Triathlon President Antonio F. Arimany.
“Hosting the WTCS and the Multisport Championships together on Hudayriyat Island creates something truly special, above all for our age-group community, who will now share the stage with the very best athletes in our sport.”
‘Proud to welcome the world’s best athletes’
His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “Hosting the Modon World Triathlon Championship Series Abu Dhabi 2026 alongside the World Triathlon Multisport Championships 2026 on Hudayriyat Island reflects Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global sports destination and the confidence of international federations in its capabilities.
“We are proud to welcome the world’s best athletes and thousands of participants to Abu Dhabi, and we value our strong partnership with World Triathlon as we continue to deliver world-class events that inspire the community and promote an active lifestyle.”
Britain’s Beth Potter currently leads the women’s standings with 3,527.19 points, ahead of Jeanne Lehair (LUX) on 3,234.8 and Germany’s Lisa Tertsch on 3,222.08.
Vasco Vilaca of Portugal heads the men’s rankings with 3,850 points, well ahead of Brazil’s Miguel Hidalgo (2,582.09) and fellow Portuguese athlete Ricardo Batista (2,470.62).
