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Taylor Knibb Leads Star-Studded Field at 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship On Sept. 12-13

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by Kennedy Terry

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - One hundred forty female and male professional triathletes will return to Nice, France, on Sept. 12-13, for the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. 

Who to Watch 

Two-time Olympic medalist Taylor Knibb leads the star-studded start list. A three-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion and 2025 runner-up who has reached the podium at every IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship she has contested since 2021, Knibb is set to race in Nice for the first time. 

Kat Mathew (GBR), who placed runner-up to Knibb in both 2023 and 2024, and Solveig Løvseth (NOR), who won the 2025 IRONMAN World Championship, are set to be top contenders headed into the weekend. 

Other U.S. women on the start list include 2024 Paris Olympian Kirsten Kasper, Jackie Hering, the highest-standing U.S. woman in the IRONMAN Pro Series rankings, and Lisa Becharas, who will be guiding elite paratriathlete McClain Hermes at the 2026 World Triathlon Para Championships on Sept. 23.

The U.S. men’s start list features 2024 Paris Olympic silver medalists Morgan Pearson and Seth Rider, along with 15-time IRONMAN 70.3 winner Sam Long. The field also includes a strong contingent of other Olympic veterans, with fellow Paris Olympians Vincent Luis (FRA), Hayden Wilde (NZL) and Sam Dickinson (GBR). 

Leading the field are 2024 and 2025 defending champion Jelle Geens (BEL) and 2025 runner-up Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR). 

Notable absences include 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR) and Trevor Foley (USA) who are both focused on preparing for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona in October. 

See the full start list here. 

The Course  

The world’s best will take on a course that showcases the beauty and challenge of the Côte d’Azur. 

Athletes will begin with a 1.2-mile swim in the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea before tackling a demanding 56-mile bike course through the Alpes-Maritimes, including the iconic Col de Vence. The race concludes with a 13.1-mile run along Nice’s famed Promenade des Anglais, where athletes will be met by the energy of cheering crowds. 

Nice has hosted several IRONMAN World Championship events, including the 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship; 2023 Men's IRONMAN World Championship and the 2024 Women's IRONMAN World Championship. 

How to watch the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship 

Women's race: Saturday, Sept. 12 | 2 a.m. ET / 11 p.m. PT (Friday, Sept. 11) 

Men's race: Sunday, Sept. 13 | 2 a.m. ET / 11 p.m. PT (Saturday, Sept. 12) 

Live race day coverage of both the women’s and men’s races will be broadcast globally on YouTube, DAZN, and the Ironman website. Additional regional live broadcast and highlight coverage available through ESPN within Disney+, SuperSport, Outside TV and more.  

About USA Triathlon  

USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and indoor and virtual multisport events in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 3,500 events and races and connects with and supports more than 300,000 unique active members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of World Triathlon and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).