IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo returns

From left: Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof, Colombo Municipal Council Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar, Shangri-La Colombo General Manager Andreas Streiber, Shangri-La Colombo Director Communications Cheranka Mendis, Serendib Multisport Director, IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo Organiser Rajan Thananayagam, Serendib Multisport Director, IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo Organiser  Yasas Hewage 

Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo returns to the world stage on Sunday, 22 February 2026, with Port City Colombo as the official presenting partner and venue partner. 

This landmark partnership, brought to fruition by Serendib Multisport, aligns global endurance excellence with Sri Lanka’s vision for a future-ready nation.

By integrating the world’s most prestigious lifestyle brand into the heart of South Asia’s first “Blue and Green” Special Economic Zone, the event serves as a profound catalyst for Sri Lanka’s sports tourism and economic re-emergence.

The decision to centre the race at Port City Colombo is a strategic move to showcase a city capable of hosting internationally benchmarked lifestyle and sporting experiences. This alignment is rooted in a shared DNA of resilience, ambition, and the pursuit of world-class excellence.

Port City Colombo is more than a real estate development; it is a vibrant urban ecosystem and a canvas for a new way of living and engaging with the world. Hosting IRONMAN 70.3 physically demonstrates that the city’s infrastructure, planning, and operational readiness can support the world’s most demanding international events.

IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo 2026 is poised to be a significant economic driver, strengthening Sri Lanka’s credibility as a premier sports tourism destination.

 High-value tourism: Athletes from over 49 countries typically travel with support teams and families, staying an average of five to seven days and spending significantly more than the average tourist. Beyond tourism, the partnership attracts global investors who value livability and quality of life, positioning Port City Colombo as an emerging hub for living, working, and enterprise.”

 Sustainable legacy: Port City’s “City of the Future” vision prioritises efficient land use and blue-green spaces, directly complementing IRONMAN’s global Green Race framework and setting a benchmark for environmentally responsible sporting events in South Asia.

 Community connection: Beyond race day, the partnership fosters an endurance culture in Sri Lanka, inspiring healthier lifestyles while creating opportunities for local small businesses and the broader tourism ecosystem.

Port City Colombo offers a uniquely purpose-built race environment that is distinctly Colombo:

 Standout swim: A 1.9km swim in the 101-hectare sheltered lagoon, home to a thriving marine ecosystem and protected by a 3.2km offshore breakwater for calm, high-performance waters.

 Fast bike and run: A 90km bike course on wide, newly developed roads and a 21.1km coastal run, offering a preview of how the city’s public realm is designed to host world-class lifestyle events.

Port City Colombo is a multi-service Special Economic Zone (SEZ) designed as a future-focused financial, business, and lifestyle hub in South Asia, spanning 269 hectares of reclaimed land. Serendib Multisport is the leading organiser of premier endurance events in Sri Lanka, focused on building local capability and positioning the nation as a world-class destination for sports tourism. Thus, this collaboration has been instrumental in creating this event to show that Colombo is open, capable, and globally connected.

CHEC Port City Colombo Deputy Managing Director Thulci Aluwihare said: “This partnership is a powerful demonstration of what Port City Colombo is designed to do, not just in terms of hosting a globally recognised event at the highest international standards, but also acting as a catalyst for inspiration, development and community connection, positioning Colombo as THE future-ready international city.”

Serendib Multisport Director Yasas Hewage said: “This event is not just a celebration of what Port City Colombo has completed; it is a demonstration and appreciation of what it is designed to do. Through this partnership, we are unlocking Sri Lanka’s potential to become a permanent fixture on the global endurance circuit.”

Beyond the race, Serendib’s integration of the KAYA Wellness and Active Lifestyle International Expo at the nearby Shangri-La Colombo from 19 to 22 February will further immerse international visitors in a broader lifestyle experience.