A couple of weeks after the 2026 editions of the IRONMAN® 70.3® Knokke-Heist triathlon and the 5150® Knokke-Heist Triathlon, IRONMAN and the City of Knokke-Heist is pleased to announce that next year, the coastal seaside resort will welcome the first-ever IRONMAN triathlon held in Belgium.
Since launching back in 2023, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Knokke-Heist triathlon and 5150® Knokke-Heist triathlons have collectively welcomed over 11,500 athletes and have played a significant role in the growth of triathlon racing in Belgium. In recent years Belgium has become one of the fastest growing countries in Europe by participation with 38% growth at the IRONMAN 70.3 brand and 105% growth at the IRONMAN brand since 2023, emphasising Belgium's fast-growing interest in the distance. In 2026 Belgium grew to become the 4th biggest nation by participation in Europe at the IRONMAN brand, despite never having previously hosted an IRONMAN in Belgium.
As a nation, Belgium has been a top achieving country producing multiple world champions and high-achieving athletes. Luc Van Lierde and Frederik Van Lierde have both won the sport's most coveted title, the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii while more recently Jelle Geens achieved back-to-back IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship titles and a podium this weekend in Nice.
"After several years of triathlon events in Knokke-Heist, this is a particularly significant moment for our municipality. The evolution towards an IRONMAN is a natural and ambitious next step in the development of our event. We are extremely proud to host Belgium's first-ever IRONMAN and to offer Belgian athletes the opportunity to become an IRONMAN on home soil," said Bert De Brabandere, Alderman for Tourism and Sport of Knokke-Heist.
“We are thrilled that Belgium’s very first IRONMAN will take place in Knokke-Heist, a destination renowned for hosting world-class international events and providing an exceptional playground for endurance sport. This milestone reflects the continued growth of triathlon in Belgium, giving local athletes the opportunity to take on the legendary IRONMAN in front of a home crowd while welcoming competitors from around the world to discover this unique destination at the crossroads of Belgium and the Netherlands. We look forward to welcoming athletes for what promises to be a fast, memorable, and truly unforgettable IRONMAN race.” Thibault Vellard, Regional Director, South West Europe, The IRONMAN Group.
The IRONMAN Belgium, Knokke-Heist course promises an exceptional race experience in one of Northern Europe's most beautiful regions. For 2027, IRONMAN Belgium, Knokke-Heist triathlon will replace 5150® Triathlon and the IRONMAN® 70.3® Knokke-Heist triathlon.
The race will begin with a 3.8 km swim in the picturesque town of Sluis, located just across the border in the Dutch province of Zeeland. This unique setting will provide athletes with an unforgettable start to their IRONMAN journey in the Damsche Vaart, calm, protected wates with epic spectator support along.
Athletes will then embark on a one-loop 180 km bike ride through the wider Zwin region, passing scenic polder landscapes, charming villages, and expansive countryside roads before returning to Knokke-Heist.
The race will conclude with a 42.2 km marathon showcasing the many faces of the renowned seaside resort. Athletes will run along the iconic seafront promenade, lined with beaches, restaurants, beach bars, elegant boutiques, and art galleries, with the North Sea providing a spectacular backdrop all the way to the finish line.
"After four triathlon weekends featuring an Olympic distance quarter triathlon and an IRONMAN 70.3, we are taking a new sporting step in 2027 with the organization of an IRONMAN triathlon. The course through the magnificent polder landscapes and along our coastline will offer athletes a unique challenge in an exceptional setting. An event of this stature perfectly aligns with our sporting and tourism ambitions. We look forward to welcoming thousands of athletes, their families, and supporters, who will also have the opportunity to discover Knokke-Heist beyond the summer holiday season," added Bert De Brabandere.
Priority registration will open on September 22, 2026, followed by general registration on September 24, 2026
here.
For more information on the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 brands and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.??