State Championship RFPs
Timeline for 2026 State Championships Selection#
July 9, 2025
RFP process opens
July 9 - August 15, 2025
RFP Submission Period
August 18 – August 29, 2025
Review of bid submissions by USA Triathlon
September 12, 2025
Selections made and Race Directors notified
September 12, 2025
Contractual Process Begins
September 26, 2025
Contracts Signed
October 2025
2026 selections announced
RFP Process #
The RFP period for inclusion will be open from July 9 – August 15. All submissions must be submitted electronically through the ‘Apply Today’ link. Once the RFP period closes, submissions will be reviewed by USA Triathlon, consisting of 3 – 4 individuals from different areas of the organization to ensure application standards have been met. USA Triathlon may reach out to the Race Director to request additional information regarding the submission. Race Directors that applied and have been accepted can expect to hear from USA Triathlon no later than September 12, 2025. Race Directors that have applied and were not accepted as the State Championship can expect to hear from USA Triathlon by the end of September 2025. Upon being notified, contracts will begin to be distributed on or around September 12 and will be due back to USA Triathlon no later than September 26. Events included on the 2026 State Championship Calendar will be announced in October.
State Championships#
State Championships are meant to be the highest level of competition below national championships. In 2026, state championships will include Sprint and Olympic-distance triathlon. Other disciplines including duathlon, aquabike, and aquathlon are highly encouraged to offer additional racing opportunities but will not officially be recognized as State Championships. State championships will also serve as the age group and high school club state championships (sprint triathlon and Olympic-distance triathlon) and the high school state championship for high school age group athletes in the sprint triathlon.
- Race Director must produce non-draft sprint and Olympic-distance triathlons at the same event over the same weekend (exceptions will be made if no other options exist in the state)
- Hosting a duathlon or another discipline as part of the event is preferred, but not required
- High-school division/wave must be part of the sprint event
- Must include normal age group divisions, plus Clydesdale, Athena, Non-Binary, High School (Sprint)
- Must host a Splash and Dash Youth event for ages 7 to 15
- Adherence to branding guidelines to ensure the event is known as a State Championship (communications, website, on-site branding, etc.)
- Race Director Certification must be completed by Dec. 31, 2025 if not already certified
- USAT sanctioned event
- Race must have been sanctioned in the past
- All past post-race responsibilities must be completed within 7 days post-event
- Complete and thoroughness of bid submission
- On-time bid submission
- 1st - 3rd Place Certificates for sprint triathlon and Olympic-distance triathlon
- Top 35% (vs. 15%) qualify for USA Triathlon Sprint and Olympic Distance National Championships, which in turn will provide more incentive for athletes to race at the event
- Pre-event 'webinar' info call/kickoff
- Event Checklist Guide/Manual/Best Practices
- USAT on-call concierge
- State champs mesh/branding
- Opportunity to grow your participation due to event designation
- State Champs social media posts
- Additional social opportunities for Championship events (paid or unpaid)
- Inclusion on State Championship calendar on USATriathlon.org
- State Championship calendar announcement with link to event website
- Being a part of the select group of races calling themselves State Championships
- One Year