Wollongong to Host 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals in Landmark Partnership
Wollongong, Australia, gears up to host the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals, a major event attracting global athletes, thanks to a strategic partnership with AusTriathlon and NSW.
The World Triathlon Executive Board has recently announced that the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals will be held in Wollongong, Australia. This decision comes as a result of a collaborative effort between AusTriathlon, the New South Wales Government, and the Wollongong City Council. This three-year partnership is set to bring the pinnacle of World Triathlon competitions to the Australian continent.
Regarded as the highlight of the World Triathlon calendar, the 2025 Championship Finals in Wollongong are expected to attract over 4,000 athletes, along with their families and friends. The previous Championship Finals in Spain saw participants from 32 countries, a number anticipated to increase in upcoming editions.
In Wollongong, World Champions across various categories including Elite, U23, Junior, and Para triathlon will be crowned. The event will also feature Mixed Relay World Championships for U23/Juniors and Para triathlon, along with Age-Group competitions in Standard distance, Sprint distance, Aquabike Standard distance, and Age-Group Mixed Relay.
The agreement also includes hosting the 2024 World Triathlon Cup from April 20-21, 2024, and another major World Triathlon event in 2026, in addition to AusTriathlon’s premier Australian Standard Distance Championships.
The 2024 World Triathlon Cup in Wollongong will serve as a preparatory event for the 2025 Championship Finals, marking the return of top-tier international triathlon events to Australia. The country last hosted the World Triathlon Championships Final in 2018 and a World Cup in 2020.
World Triathlon President Marisol Casado expressed excitement about returning to Australia for these events, praising the country's commitment to the sport and its capacity to host remarkable events. She anticipates a memorable experience in Wollongong's stunning landscapes for athletes and spectators alike.
John Graham, NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, highlighted the benefits for visitors and locals, emphasizing NSW's proficiency in hosting international sporting events.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM and General Manager Greg Doyle both expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity to host these prestigious events, emphasizing the positive impact on the community and the chance to showcase Wollongong's natural beauty.
AusTriathlon CEO Tim Harradine acknowledged the support from the NSW Government and expressed excitement about bringing these significant events to Australia. He sees this as an important step in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
This series of events continues the tradition of hosting the Championship Finals in notable cities around the world, with the next edition set for Malaga, Spain, in October 2024.