MUSCAT — The Sultanate of Oman will host the Middle East Championship Experience Oman—Ironman 70.3 Muscat from February 13 to 14, 2026, as part of efforts to position the country as a leading destination for adventure and sports tourism, organisers said.

The championship is being organised by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in cooperation with the Middle East International Events Foundation, and forms part of the Ironman 70.3 World Series under the banner of the IRONMAN Group.

The Muscat race will offer qualifying athletes a chance to secure slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships, one of the sport’s most prestigious global events.

The hosting of the championship stems from a long-term partnership between the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the IRONMAN Group that runs until 2030, officials said.

Haitham Mohammed Al Ghassani, Director General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said the championship presents a major opportunity to highlight Oman’s diverse tourism assets and strengthen its presence on the global sports tourism map.

He added that the event is being delivered by a 100% Omani workforce, meeting the highest international standards and demonstrating the capability of national talent to manage and deliver large-scale global sporting events.

Al Ghassani said the championship is expected to generate tangible economic benefits by attracting athletes, visitors and international media from around the world.

The Ironman 70.3 Muscat race covers a total distance of 70.3 miles (about 113 kilometres) across three disciplines. It includes a 1.9-kilometre open-water swim in the Gulf of Oman, a 90-kilometre cycling leg along Oman’s coastline and scenic landscapes, and a 21.1-kilometre half marathon finishing along the beaches of Muscat.

Organisers said the event will further reinforce Oman’s growing profile as a regional hub for international sporting events and experiential tourism.