Marbella in the running to host T100 Triathlon World Tour with mixed reactions from locals

Marbella wants a place on the T100 Triathlon World Tour calendar from 2027 to 2029, and has now signed a formal agreement with the Spanish Triathlon Federation to make it happen, three huge seasons and one very one ambitious goal.

What is the T100 Triathlon World Tour?

Launching in 2027 as a joint venture between World Triathlon and the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO), the Triathlon World Tour will be the sport’s premier global series. Each race covers exactly 100km. A gruelling 2km swim, 80km cycle and 18km run, and will crown the only officially recognised world champions at both the T100 and T50 distances.

Events are planned for only iconic destinations across the world, making Marbella’s bid one with real international weight behind it.

A bid backs by world champions

High-profile support was behind Marbella at the signing ceremony in Madrid. Jose Hidalgo, president of the Spanish Triathlon Federation (FETRI) was joined by Antonio Fernandez Aimany, president of the international triathlon federation, and by Mario Mola, three-time World Triathlon Series world champion and one of Spain’s most celebrated athletes in the sport.

Both federation leaders praised Marbella’s track record, calling it a strong and credible contender to be part of the circuit from its very first season.

Six years of successful IRONMAN experience on the CV

Over six consecutive years, Marbella hosted a race on the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit, including a staging of the prestigious World Championship, a record that demonstrates its capacity to organise and deliver major endurance events at the highest level.

Mixed reaction from residents

Not everyone is celebrating without reservation. Local reaction on social media has been broadly positive, though some residents are using the news to call for action closer to home. One commenter simply demanded the council “sort out the traffic chaos in Marbella” first, while another congratulated the council but questioned whether youth sport and local schools would benefit from the investment, adding that road conditions in the city made him reluctant to let children cycle at all.