City of Derry Triathlon has been awarded a Europe Triathlon Cup event to take place on Saturday September 5.
The race will be the only elite international triathlon event held on the island of Ireland this year, bringing top-level international competition back to the city.
More than 200 international elite triathletes from around the world are expected to compete in the Europe Triathlon Cup and Europe Triathlon Junior Cup races, alongside a Triathlon Ireland National Series age-group race with up to 500 competitors, creating a major festival of triathlon in the city centre.
World Triathlon and Team Ireland triathlete, Luke McCarron, who’s from Derry, said: “Racing a European Cup in Derry was something I couldn’t have dreamt of when I did my first couple of sessions with North West Triathlon Club.
“The club’s members worked tirelessly to build something really special. This race is a testament to the triathlon legacy that has been created by those people.
“We are ready to cement Derry’s reputation on the world triathlon stage.”
This prestigious international event will be staged around the River Foyle, Ebrington Square and Queen’s Quay, delivering a compact city-centre race course designed for both elite racing and spectator engagement, as well as live media coverage.
The combination of five races in a single day will create a unique atmosphere in a festival of triathlon that combines elite international competition with mass participation racing in a compact city-centre setting.
The courses are designed to meet the required technical standards while maximising athlete performance and spectator engagement.
The layout of the race courses will deliver a highly accessible, spectator-friendly experience which will make for a very special international-level triathlon event.
Laura Colhoun, Race Director, City of Derry Triathlon 2026, said:
“Being awarded the Europe Triathlon Cup reflects the confidence Europe Triathlon has in the City of Derry and its ability to host international-standard racing.
“Bringing elite and age-group competition together on the same day will create a distinctive race-day atmosphere and showcase the strengths of our compact, riverside city-centre venue.”
The Europe Triathlon Cup — City of Derry 2026 will include:
- Swim: 750m open-water swim in the River Foyle
- Bike: 20km fast, technical riverside bike course over multiple laps for elites.
- Run: 5km mostly flat, high-energy riverside route with a spectator-lined finish
The bike course for elites will be compact, with up to four laps. The Triathlon National Series race will have a separate bike course.
Picture by PA
The Europe Triathlon Cup event will attract elite athletes from across Europe and beyond — all vying for valuable World Triathlon ranking points. They will be accompanied by coaches, technical officials, team staff, family members, and international media.
The inclusion of a Triathlon National Series race will bring hundreds of age group athletes to the city, generating significant visitor numbers and economic benefit across accommodation, hospitality, and local services.
The event is being delivered by North West Triathlon Club in partnership with Europe Triathlon and Triathlon Ireland, with the support of flagship sponsor Derry City and Strabane District Council through its National Event Fund. Corporate partners The AMP, Grofuse Digital and Connected Health are supporting the delivery and promotion of the event.
Darren Coombes, CEO of Triathlon Ireland, said: “The City of Derry Triathlon offers a rare combination of high-performance racing, strong local delivery, and an outstanding athlete experience.
“Its inclusion on the Europe Triathlon Cup calendar reflects the quality and ambition of the organising team.”
Ryan Williams, Chair of North West Triathlon Club, said: “The return of the City of Derry Triathlon has been long awaited and is widely regarded as one of the standout races on the Triathlon Ireland calendar.
“Its return as a Europe Triathlon Cup is hugely inspiring for local athletes and highlights Derry’s ability to host triathlon at the highest level.”
The organising team is working in close collaboration with local sports clubs, community partners, and statutory authorities, including the city’s Safety Advisory Group, to ensure the event is delivered safely, professionally, and to international standards.
The race categories are as follows:
- Europe Triathlon Cup Elite Male
- Europe Triathlon Cup Elite Female
- Europe Triathlon Junior Cup Male
- Europe Triathlon Junior Cup Female
- Triathlon National Series (Age Group Event)
Athlete registration information, event schedules, course maps, and race-week information will be published in advance at the event website: codtriathlon.com
