27 Jun 2025
UKG IRONMAN Australia Set for Date Change from 2026 Onwards
The UKG IRONMAN Australia team have today announced that the iconic New South Wales event is set to move on the calendar, with the race to be held in October from 2026 onwards.
The long-standing event, a highlight of the mid-north coast sporting calendar, will celebrate its 39th running on Sunday 18 October 2026.
Carl Smith, Regional Director for The IRONMAN Group Oceania, said that the change was made following extensive consultation with key stakeholders, and will be positive for both UKG IRONMAN Australia and UKG IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie as they continue to grow into the future.
“IRONMAN Australia is one of the longest standing IRONMAN triathlons in the world with an incredible history stretching back to the 1980s, and we look forward to adding another chapter to it with this shift to a new position on the calendar from October 2026,” said Smith. “In moving to October, we look forward to warmer air and water temperatures, along with longer daylight hours thanks to daylight savings, which will enhance athlete safety and improve the experience for the thousands of spectators that make this event a celebration every year.
“The calendar change also means that we have been able to spread out the full-distance IRONMAN triathlons across the region, starting in New Zealand in March, moving to Cairns in June, then Port Macquarie in October, and finally Western Australia in December, which when combined with standalone IRONMAN 70.3 events provides racing opportunities throughout the year.
“For those wanting to secure their spot on the start line of the prestigious IRONMAN World Championship or IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, this move in date for IRONMAN Australia and IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie means they will have one of the first opportunities in the world to qualify for the next year’s pinnacle event in the sport,” he said. “We’ll also be using this change as an exciting opportunity to refresh and evolve the event, helping this iconic race to continue to grow and provide an even better experience for athletes, spectators and the local community.”
While this will be the first time that IRONMAN Australia has been held in October, there is a history of long-distance triathlon in Port Macquarie at that time of year stretching back to 2005, with the final standalone IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie held on 18 October 2015.
Port Macquarie Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts said cementing a new date for IRONMAN Australia ensures the competition, and its status as one of Port Macquarie’s premier events, could continue without disruption.
“No matter where this event sits on the calendar it remains one of the most important for our region,” he said. “It’s contribution to our region is unquestionably positive, attracting approximately 9,500 visitors injecting more than $11 million into local businesses.
“Major events such as IRONMAN are central to the growth and development of regional economies, and we are blessed to have such this large-scale event right here in the Port Macquarie Hastings for at least another three years.”
Entries for the 2026 IRONMAN Australia and IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie will go on sale in October this year.
The move to later in the year for IRONMAN Australia and IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie is a part of a calendar refresh for IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events in Oceania, with IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney also moving, from its traditional September date to the first week in May from 2026 onwards.
IRONMAN Australia and IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie are supported proudly by the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
More on IRONMAN Australia can be found at www.ironman.com/im-australia
Craig Heydon
Public Relations & Media Director, The IRONMAN Group Oceania
Mob: 0402 318 918
Ruth Bowerman
Media Manager, The IRONMAN Group Oceania
M: +64 21 209 6978