IRONMAN Global Participation Trends Feature Youth Surge and Market Expansion

TAMPA, Fla. (December 15, 2025) - As the 2025 IRONMAN® and IRONMAN® 70.3® season comes to a close following an incredible year of racing that included 148 events and some of the most exciting IRONMAN World Championship and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship races in Nice, France, and Kona, Hawai`i, and Marbella, Spain, IRONMAN is happy to unveil its 2025 global participation data, showcasing a dynamic shift in athlete demographics, record-breaking race registrations, and strategic expansion into emerging markets. With over 250,000 registrations that includes a 10% year-on-year increase of first timers across IRONMAN® and IRONMAN® 70.3® races this year, the sport continues to grow in reach, diversity, and impact.

One of the most striking trends in 2025 is the continued surge in younger athletes entering the sport. Participation among those under 30 has grown by 35%, with the 30-34 age group remaining the largest category for the second consecutive year. Notably, the number of first-time participants under 30 has more than doubled since 2019 with full-distance IRONMAN races seeing a 46% increase in this demographic since last year. The youth movement has been especially prominent among women 25-29 which has seen a nearly 44% growth YOY as part of a 9% YOY increase of female athletes overall. This youth movement is also reflected in the professional ranks, with 28-year-old Casper Stornes of Norway winning the men's 2025 IRONMAN World Championship and 26-year-old Solveig Løvseth of Norway winning the women's IRONMAN World Championship.

Female participation in IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events continues to grow, marking one of the strongest years to date. In 2025, nearly 49,500 women signed up to an IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon - representing 22.5% of the global athlete community and reflecting a 7% year-over-year increase and the second highest year on record (the first being 2019). Women make up 17% of IRONMAN athletes (a 10% YOY increase) and 25% of IRONMAN 70.3 athletes (up 5.4% YOY), with early 2026 trends also indicating that more than a quarter of IRONMAN 70.3 participants will be women. In line with global trends, younger women are joining the sport in record numbers -registrations among women under 30 surged by 36% this year, and for the first time, the average age of female athletes dropped below 40. While there is still work to do, these milestones underscore the momentum behind making triathlon more accessible and inclusive for women worldwide.

Across the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region, countries like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark are experiencing exponential growth, achieving record participation figures in 2025. France has overtaken Germany as the second-largest triathlon market in Europe, with a 25% increase in athlete registrations and a 31% rise in international participants. The popularity of French races is evident, with events like IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables d'Olonne-Vendée and IRONMAN 70.3 Nice selling out in record time. For the 2026 season, 32 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races are already sold out, and 11 of the 14 early season EMEA IRONMAN 70.3 races, from February to June are already at capacity.

To meet growing demand, new races have been introduced in France, Spain, and Italy, including the return of IRONMAN Vichy and the debut of IRONMAN 70.3 Alghero in Sardinia. The coming year will also see the debut of a first full-distance triathlon in the Middle East, with Experience Oman IRONMAN Oman triathlon set to take place in December.

In North America, the sport is gaining momentum with new events taking place in 2025, including Rockford, Illinois; Boise, Idaho; and Ottawa, Canada; joined by new events for 2026 in Ruidoso, New Mexico; Omaha, Nebraska; Dallas, Texas; and Jacksonville, Florida. As large numbers of younger athletes continue to start their journey into triathlon and long-course racing, the average age of participants is decreasing, with the IRONMAN average dropping from 42.5 to 40, and IRONMAN 70.3 from 41 to 39. The 18-29 age group is particularly strong, showing a 23% increase for IRONMAN and 29% for IRONMAN 70.3.

Latin America is also seeing robust growth, with new events in Paraguay, Colombia, El Salvador, Chile, and Argentina. Mexico continues to be the most represented nation in Latin America, making up nearly a quarter of athletes. Thanks to the new events, Colombian athletes have increased by 24% YOY and Costa Rica athletes have increased by 50% YOY.

Meanwhile, Asia is expanding its portfolio with races this year in Malaysia, India, China, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea and Vietnam. Next year will also see new events join the global circuit, including the first full-distance triathlon in Vietnam, with IRONMAN Vietnam, and IRONMAN 70.3 Hengqin in China, along with the return of IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Oceania continues to thrive, with sell-outs for the Qatar Airways IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne, and IRONMAN Western Australia Asia-Pacific Championship triathlon. Oceania is set to deliver stellar racing in 2026 as the Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series kicks off at the ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand with a sensational pro field anticipated.

Looking ahead, IRONMAN is partnering with young athletes, emerging markets, and global federations to build pipelines from other endurance sports and foster inclusive growth. With a focus on visibility, race experience, and community, IRONMAN is committed to inspiring the next generation of athletes.

For more information on the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 brands and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.

For any media enquiries on IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races please contact: [email protected].

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About The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group is the world's largest operator of participation sports with a portfolio of brands, events, media, partners, merchandise, and digital platforms operating in over 50 countries worldwide. A global portfolio consisting of hundreds of events includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150® Triathlon Series, IRONKIDS®, premier running events including the Rock 'n' Roll® Running Series, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, the UTMB® World Series of trail running, the Epic Series™ of mountain biking including the Absa Cape Epic®, and a collection of road cycling and other multisport races. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, millions of athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. From its beginnings as a single race among friends in Hawai'i, The IRONMAN Group has become a global sensation and collection of high-growth lifestyle brands that inspire people to unlock their potential in life. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about/ironman-group.