Search
shop

Super League Triathlon acquires New York and Chicago Triathlons

'Making short course racing cool again in the USA' - that's SLT's aim, via the acquisition of New York and Chicago Triathlons
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

You can rarely accuse Super League Triathlon of resting on their laurels and accepting the status quo.

More activity from triathlon’s short-course disrupters today with the news that they have added the New York and Chicago Triathlons to their portfolio of owned events, having previously purchased the Malibu Triathlon in 2020.

Advertisement

Mass participation growth

Primarily known for their made-for-television, fast-paced SLT Championship Series and Arena Games professional races, the focus of today’s news is to further develop their portfolio of mass participation events. While the terms of the deals were not disclosed, SLT take over New York and Chicago from Life Time, Inc – though the later will continue to produce both events this year.

‘Reviving short course racing in the USA’ is the ambition, so it will be interesting to see how that plays out over the next couple of years. It should also mean that Super League Triathlon are broadening their market and extending their brand.

‘Make short course racing cool again’

SLT CEO and Co-Founder, Michael D’hulst, said: “I am very excited to be able to announce the acquisition of two fantastic events with the New York and Chicago triathlons. These are races with a rich history in our sport and in prime locations in major cities. It is an honour to now be the custodian of these brands.

“This move underlines Super League’s transition as we grow from being more than a right’s holder in elite sport to also delivering mass participation events, and shows our commitment to make short course racing cool again in the US via a strategy that engages and excites participants.”

Michael D'Hulst / Super League Triathlon Malta 2019
SLT CEO and Co-Founder, Michael D’hulst [Photo by Tommy Zaferes / Super League Triathlon]

​​SLT Chairman and Co-Founder, Leonid Boguslavsky, added: “A platform that brings together these three huge events while growing the footprint of our professional events in the US and expanding our media presence is a truly unique proposition. We are formulating exciting plans for the future and look forward to being able to announce these in due course.”

In years past, the Chicago Triathlon was perhaps the largest triathlon in the world, and has also hosted some very high-profile professional races too. The World Triathlon Grand Final was hosted by the Windy City in 2015 also, so there is a long history to potentially build on in elite terms, alongside the mass participation side that a large cities such as Chicago and New York can offer.

Javier Gomez / World Triathlon Grand Final 2015

Don’t be surprised to see both venues makes moves in both professional and mass participation terms. If anyone has the marketing and promotional skills to deliver on the ‘cool again’ vibe, then you’d have to say Super League Triathlon has the best shot.

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
Alistair Brownlee - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
Olympic triathlon legend Alistair Brownlee completes iconic Gralloch race in latest gravel test
Jeanne Lehair Beth Potter WTCS Yokohama 2025
From Olympic heartbreak to joy of first WTCS win as emotions flow for Jeanne Lehair
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...