Coastal Mississippi: A New Hub for Sports Tourism with USA Triathlon Event in 2026

Published on October 23, 2025

In a thrilling new development for the travel and sports tourism industries, CLASH Endurance has named Coastal Mississippi as the new host location for the 2026 USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships. The event will take place over the weekend of March 27-29, 2026, with elite athletes and ‘weekend warriors’ from the U.S. and over a dozen countries competing in triathlons, duathlons, swims, and other endurance events. The announcement shows the growing recognition of Coastal Mississippi as a world-class destination for athletic tourism and wellness-based travellers.

A Destination for Athletes and Tourists Alike

The event’s theme, “Stay and Play,” invites not only the athletes but also their families, friends, and fans to enjoy everything the region has to offer, from world-class entertainment and culture to a rich historical heritage. With easy access to an international airport, luxury accommodations, and a range of local dining and entertainment options, Coastal Mississippi is positioned to attract a diverse group of visitors for this action-packed event weekend.

Located between the historic cities of Gulfport and Biloxi, the area has long been a southern tourism hub, offering a blend of modern attractions and rich local culture. Visitors can experience championship golf courses, non-stop casinos, and Gulf-to-table cuisine during their stay, ensuring that both athletes and spectators will have plenty to explore when they’re not competing.

An Ideal Setting for the Triathlon Championships

For CLASH Endurance, the move to Coastal Mississippi represents a commitment to enhancing the athlete experience and offering a setting that reflects the event’s ethos of community, hospitality, and wellness.

The event courses have been meticulously designed to provide an optimal experience for athletes. The swim will take place in a protected saltwater course in the Gulf of America, near the Gulfport Municipal Marina. The bike course will lead athletes east along the scenic Beach Rd (US-90) toward Biloxi, providing a fast and flat ride along the coast. Runners will enjoy a course that weaves through the picturesque Gulfport coastal neighborhoods, offering a mix of beautiful landscapes and local southern hospitality from the supportive community.

A Boost to Mississippi’s Tourism and Economy

The USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships attract more than 100 collegiate clubs each year, making it one of the most important events in the triathlon calendar. The 2026 event will not only serve as a premier competition but also highlight the region as an ideal location for sports tourism. It will further solidify Mississippi’s growing reputation as a key destination for outdoor events, attracting visitors from across the globe.

Supporting the Future of Endurance Sports

The event will feature a variety of race formats, including Olympic-distance, Draft-legal Sprint, and Mixed Relay races, all counting toward team scores. Individual race winners and the top club teams will receive prestigious awards. The annual Spirit Award will be given to the collegiate club that demonstrates the most school pride throughout the event, and the Journey to Nationals competition will showcase the preparation and qualification of collegiate clubs via short videos.

A New Era for Coastal Mississippi’s Tourism Landscape

The 2026 USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships in Coastal Mississippi will not only be a major athletic event but also a catalyst for tourism in the region. The event will spotlight the Gulf Coast as a prime destination for sports tourism, providing local businesses with new opportunities to showcase the area’s attractions to an international audience.

Coastal Mississippi has everything from outdoor adventure, culture, and community spirit to making Coastal Mississippi a new mainstay on the sports tourism calendar. An attractive venue for endurance events and competitions of all types of sports.