Wednesday 03 / September / 2025
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism on Wednesday signed a partnership agreement with the IRONMAN Group, a leader in organising global sports events and races, to support Ironman championships for five years, starting in 2026.
The announcement was made during a press conference held in Muscat under the auspices of Salim Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism. The Ministry affirmed that this support will include featuring Oman’s promotional identity in all global championships, on the group’s official website, and in all promotional content and messages related to Ironman events.
The partnership will also promote heritage and tourist sites in all advertising and promotional materials.
Through this agreement, the Ministry aims to highlight Oman’s diverse tourism assets and enhance their promotion via global Ironman championships. This will stimulate sports and cultural tourism, attract more international visitors from various global markets, and strengthen Oman’s position as a distinguished tourist destination on the world stage.
The Ministry also seeks to present Oman as a leading global destination for adventure tourism. Oman’s unique natural trails, varied terrain, geological diversity, and wide range of activities are perfect for hosting multi-level and multi-stage sports challenges, all while meeting safety and security requirements. Oman also has licensed and specialised institutions to provide adventure tourism experiences.
The Ministry will also work to maximise the benefits of these championships to make Oman an important international hub in the Middle East for hosting global sports tourism events.
This will contribute to enhancing local content, stimulating the job market, empowering local businesses, and generating direct economic returns.
Under this partnership, the first full-distance Ironman race will be held annually in Muscat in November, featuring challenges such as swimming in the sea, a world-class cycling race through major tourist landmarks, and a multi-stage running race.
The Ministry, represented by its promotional platform “Experience Oman,” has also been granted the naming rights for all Ironman races to be held in Oman.
This includes the “Experience Oman Ironman 70.3” in Muscat, scheduled for February 2026, which will be certified as the official Middle East championship for 70.3-mile triathlons.
This will offer professional athletes a regional title and additional opportunities to qualify for the annual World Championship. The partnership also includes the “Experience Oman Ironman 70.3” in Salalah, scheduled for 25 October 2025.
Azzan Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, explained that the Ministry places great importance on global Ironman championships as part of its ongoing plans and efforts to promote Oman’s unique offerings.
He stated that hosting such global championships reflects Oman’s readiness to host international events and contributes to enhancing its image on the global sports and tourism map.
Furthermore, it undertakes a role in diversifying tourism types and opening up new horizons for sports tourism, which is experiencing increasing global interest. He added that this partnership represents a major step towards strengthening Oman’s position as a leading destination for adventures and endurance sports.
Al Busaidi also mentioned that the five-year partnership with the IRONMAN Group allows the Ministry to leverage this official collaboration to develop the tourism sector and achieve record levels of sustainability.
This affirms the Ministry’s commitment to making Oman a global tourist destination that attracts visitors with various interests and preferences.
He noted that the championship includes diverse races encompassing swimming, cycling, and running, and that Oman’s environment—which blends geological and natural diversity with authentic Arab culture and modern life—is the optimal destination for hosting Ironman races.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism stated that this championship is a significant opportunity to promote the tourist products, services, and experiences that Oman offers. It will also help attract more tourists, especially from European markets, and promote investment opportunities in the tourism sector, facilitating the signing of partnerships and agreements in tourism-related fields. This will, in turn, stimulate other sectors linked to tourism, such as transport, aviation, hotels, and restaurants.
He clarified that these events encourage the local community to participate and engage in the agenda, which contributes to enhancing and developing a sports culture and maintaining public health.
For his part, Scott DeRue, CEO of the IRONMAN Group, explained that by signing the partnership with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the group will be able to deliver world-class race experiences and series to the region, and showcase Oman’s unique beauty, culture, and rich history. He added that Oman is already a distinguished adventure destination that aligns with the global endurance sports community.
