Ironman has announced the addition of a new middle-distance race to its European schedule: Ironman 70.3 Vilamoura-Algarve. Scheduled for April 3, 2027, the inaugural event will serve as the opening race of the European IM season. General registration is set to open on July 30, 2027.
Location and Infrastructure
Located in the Algarve region on Portugal’s southern coast, Vilamoura sits within the Municipality of Loulé and is situated approximately 15 kilometers from Faro Airport (FAO). The resort area is known for its large marina, extensive hotel capacity, and experience hosting major sporting events – including golf’s former Portugal Masters and various international sailing championships.
The region is not new to multisport events, having previously hosted local and national long-distance races, as well as the European Triathlon Cup.
Expanding Portugal’s Triathlon Footprint
The addition of Vilamoura marks the second Portuguese venue on the Ironman circuit. The brand first established a presence in the country with Ironman 70.3 Cascais in 2017, later adding a full-distance race at the same location in 2022. According to organizers, recent editions in Cascais drew nearly 5,000 participants, reflecting consistent growth in both international entries and local participation.
With Vilamoura scheduled for early April and Cascais traditionally held in the autumn, the two events will effectively bookend the European Ironman calendar.
