PTO and Saudi Investor Sela Sign MoU to Bring T100 Triathlon to Kingdom; Qatar to Host 2026 World Championship Final

The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and Saudi investment vehicle Sela have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to stage PTO events in Saudi Arabia. The deal will launch the Saudi Arabia T100 Triathlon on 27–28 November 2026 and pave the way for the Triathlon World Tour’s expansion in partnership with World Triathlon from 2027.

Sela, a Public Investment Fund (PIF)‑owned company founded in 1997, was the first Saudi firm accredited by FIFA for player representation. Over the years it has grown into a major player in sports marketing, live‑experience development and entertainment. The MoU follows an earlier November 2025 announcement that the PTO and Sela would collaborate on Saudi sports events.

"This MoU with Sela represents another exciting step forward for mass participation in the Kingdom," said Sam Renouf, PTO CEO. "Sela has been instrumental in some of the highest profile sports and entertainment events worldwide in recent years, including the groundbreaking Riyadh and Jeddah Seasons as well as international football, motorsport and boxing events. It is exactly this kind of expertise that we need to take triathlon to new heights in the region."

Mohialdeen Nazer, Deputy Chief of Events at Sela, added that the company is proud to sign the MoU and that the collaboration will "build an event that will grow in scale and impact for years to come." He said the partnership would "strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading destination for international sport and entertainment."

The Saudi Arabia T100 Triathlon will feature a men’s professional race with 20 of the PTO’s top‑ranked male triathletes, as well as amateur and junior mass‑participation events over the weekend. The Saudi Triathlon Federation, led by President Mishaal Al‑Sulamain, said the agreement "reflects the strategic role PIF is playing in building a connected and sustainable sports ecosystem in support of Saudi Vision 2030." He added that the federation would help translate global investment into increased participation and stronger athlete pathways.

In parallel, the PTO, World Triathlon, Visit Qatar and the Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation have announced the Lusail course for the 2026 Qatar T100 World Championship Final, scheduled for 10–12 December 2026 in Doha. The course will include a 2 km swim in the Arabian Gulf, an 80 km bike ride through city streets and an 18 km run across Lusail Plaza and Boulevard. New for 2026, amateur athletes can compete as part of a team, with relay entries available for both 100 km and sprint distances.

The 2026 T100 World Tour will comprise nine stops worldwide: - Gold Coast (21–22 March) - Singapore (25–26 April) - Spain (23–24 May) - San Francisco (6–7 June) - Vancouver (15–16 August) - French Riviera (19–20 September) - Dubai (12–15 November) - Saudi Arabia (27–28 November) - Qatar (11–12 December)

Each event offers a US$275,000 prize fund, totalling US$2,750,000 across the series. First place receives US$50,000, second US$40,000 and third US$30,000. Athletes earn 35 points for first place down to 1 point for 20th place at standard events; the Qatar final awards increased points from 55 down to 4. The overall standings count an athlete’s best three T100 race scores plus the Qatar final. Series winners will receive US$100,000 from an additional US$1,450,000 prize pool, with second place US$80,000 and third US$75,000.

The PTO and World Triathlon plan to launch an expanded 80‑plus‑event Triathlon World Tour in 2027, integrating the existing T100 Tour, the World Triathlon Championship Series (renamed T50), World Cup and Challenge Family events.

The MoU and the upcoming events illustrate Saudi Arabia’s growing role in international sport and its commitment to Vision 2030’s goal of diversifying the economy through high‑profile sporting events. The partnership also aligns with the country’s broader strategy to promote mass participation and active lifestyles.

The Saudi Arabia T100 Triathlon will take place on 27–28 November 2026, while the Qatar World Championship Final will run from 10–12 December 2026. Both events are part of the PTO’s T100 World Tour, which will conclude with the Qatar final.

The partnership between PTO and Sela is expected to bring professional and amateur triathlon to new audiences in Saudi Arabia and to strengthen the country’s position as a host of major international sporting events.