Ironman Announces Inaugural Nebraska Event

Ironman will host its first event in Nebraska with the addition of the Ironman 70.3 Omaha triathlon on June 7, 2026, the opening year of a three-year contract with the city that will take athletes through Omaha and the Midlands Region of Nebraska.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with and welcome an Ironman 70.3 race to Omaha for 2026 through 2028,” said Lindsay Toussant Brown, Omaha Sports Commission executive director. “Hosting this world-class event showcases our city’s vibrant sports scene and incredible spaces — our downtown, lakes and trail systems. This event extends our commitment to supporting athletes at the highest level. We can’t wait to introduce the Ironman community to an unforgettable experience while in Omaha and the state of Nebraska for the first time.”

The Ironman 70.3 Omaha triathlon starts with a 1.2-mile swim in Lake Cunningham, a 390-acre reservoir. Once out of the water, athletes transition to the 56-mile bike course throughout Douglas County and Omaha. The 13.1–mile two–loop run course will take athletes on paved trails along the Missouri River, followed by the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge into Council Bluffs. Athletes will run on the bridge back to Omaha before finishing near downtown.

“Securing an Ironman 70.3 brand race each year for the next three years highlights Omaha’s strength in attracting and sustaining world–class events,” said Deborah Ward, executive director of Visit Omaha. “We expect 2,500 to 3,000 athletes and their families to visit Omaha each year of the competition, generating an estimated $4 million in economic impact for our community annually.”

The 2026 Ironman 70.3 Omaha triathlon will offer qualifying slots to the 2026 Ironman 70.3 World Championship race in Nice, France. Omaha hosted the 2025 USA Triathlon Multisport National Championships Festival in June this year.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the Ironman 70.3 Omaha triathlon to the race calendar in 2026,” said Ryan Richards, Ironman regional director. “Omaha offers a dynamic mix of Midwest charm, a rich tradition in hosting world-class sporting events, and a vibrant local culture that makes it a standout destination for athletes and their supporters. We’re proud to partner with the city to bring this new race experience to life and look forward to welcoming athletes to discover everything that makes Omaha a memorable place to race and visit.”