It’s not entirely clear what’s driving the latest overhaul of the PTO’s T100 Triathlon World Tour – is the organization facing deeper issues, as some insiders suggest, or simply continuing its quest to refine the format? Either way, one thing is certain: the T100 Series will look very different next year.
The most striking change is that male and female professional athletes will now race separately, alternating across the calendar. That decision alone is surprising. Ironman tried a similar gender-split approach for its World Championships – a move that was met with widespread criticism and ultimately reversed. From 2026 onward, Ironman will again hold joint events for men and women, while the PTO is now heading in the opposite direction.
From next season, professionals will also face far fewer mandatory T100-race requirements to qualify for the T100 Finals. Long-term, fixed contracts appear to be off the table as well. Every pro, male or female, will be required to race only four events during the regular season, with their best three results counting toward the standings – plus the Grand Final.
According to the PTO, this new format will give athletes more flexibility and reduce pressure to race extensively. In practice, however, it could also mean that professionals will have more freedom to compete in non-PTO races. That trend had already begun, and it created challenges for the PTO in filling start lists – prompting the organization to hand out a large number of wildcards this season.
On a more positive note, prize money per race will increase in 2025. Critics, however, have been quick to point out that with fewer events on the schedule, the overall financial opportunities for pros may remain effectively unchanged.
