USA TRI Cup Series
The USA TRI Cup Series is a national draft-legal race series that connects existing sprint and super-sprint triathlons, creating a unified, clear and consistent pathway from youth and collegiate racing to international elite competition, strengthening the United States' draft-legal racing ecosystem and providing visibility for the Olympic format of the sport as the LA28 Olympic Games approach.
By aligning previously disconnected race formats, increasing athlete retention, standardizing rankings, and providing meaningful promotional support for race directors, the USA TRI Cup Series helps develop more competitive athletes while making the Olympic pathway easier to understand and navigate. It also brings together athletes from youth, junior, collegiate, NCAA, age-group, and elite backgrounds into a single competitive framework, fostering stronger domestic competition and better preparing athletes for success on the world stage.
- Competition is conducted in the draft-legal triathlon format using road bikes.
- Swim distances are ~300 meters for Super Sprint distance or ~750 meters for Sprint distance.
- The bike may be multi-lapped courses for a total of ~10k for Super Sprint distance or ~20k for Sprint distance.
- The run may be multi-lapped courses for a total of ~2k for Super Sprint distance or ~5k for Sprint distance.
- Anyone can register for USA TRI Premium Cup Series Races, but start lists will be prioritized by World Triathlon Ranking, followed by USA TRI Domestic Ranking, then by registration date/time.
- Registration for all other USA TRI Cup Series Races will be prioritized solely by registration date/time.
- All Cup Races have a field limit of ninety (90) athletes.
- USA Triathlon Draft-Legal Age Group Nationals format will be determined.
Draft-Legal Domestic Ranking - Points Ranking Guide (PDF)
- Athlete's domestic ranking is their top two points earning races in a rolling 12 month period.
Category (CAT) System - 2026 CAT System (PDF)
- Athlete's Amateur Category (CAT) is their two top domestic points earning races added together. These two races do not have to fall within the same 12 month period, they can be an athlete's top two races from January of 2025 until current.
USA TRI Domestic Draft Legal Rules are similar to, but vary slightly from, World Triathlon rules. They can be found here.
Read the USA TRI Cup Series Guide here.
Event Name | Location | Date |
Sarasota, Fla. | Jan. 10, 2027 | |
San Diego, Calif. | Feb. 13, 2027 | |
San Mateo, Calif. (Stanford Univ.) | March 7, 2027 | |
Clermont, Fla. | March 6-7, 2027 | |
Glen Allen/Richmond, Va. | May 1-2, 2027 | |
Austin, Texas | May 31, 2027 | |
New Hill/Cary, N.C. | June 5, 2027 | |
Des Moines, Iowa | Aug. 6, 2027 | |
Beaver Falls, Pa. | TBD | |
West Des Moines, Iowa | TBD | |
Hot Springs, S.D. | TBD | |
Beaver Falls, Pa. | TBD | |
Berkeley, Calif. | TBD |