DATE: September 2, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Parks and Recreation Department
TITLE: FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH WORLD TRIATHLON CORPORATION TO HOST THE ANNUAL IRONMAN 70.3 OCEANSIDE TRIATHLON
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council approve a 5-year agreement with World Triathlon Corporation to host the annual Ironman 70.3 Oceanside triathlon; approve payment to the City for municipal services in an amount not to exceed $57,000; appropriate $42,000 in General Fund revenue and expenditures; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The City of Oceanside has been the host site for the Ironman 70.3 Oceanside since 2002. The World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is requesting that the City of Oceanside enter into a new five-year agreement to host the Ironman 70.3 Oceanside triathlon from 2027 to 2031. The upcoming Ironman 70.3 Oceanside will mark the 25th anniversary of the event in Oceanside. On February 23, 2022, the City Council approved a five-year agreement with World Triathlon Corporation to support the event through 2026.
The race in Oceanside is the start of the North American triathlon season, and features a 1.2-mile swim that starts in the Harbor, a 56-mile bike ride through Camp Pendleton, and a 13.1-mile run that ends at the Oceanside Pier. The unique course and timing of the event make Ironman 70.3 Oceanside one of the most popular triathlons, generating significant positive exposure and highlighting Oceanside as a premier vacation destination. Staff believes that the continued partnership with World Triathlon Corporation provides positive community benefit, economic activity, and regional exposure.
Last year, there were nearly 3,400 athletes that competed in the Ironman Oceanside 70.3, including professional and amateur athletes from all over the world. The event provides significant economic benefit to the City and local businesses. Visit Oceanside estimates that the overall economic impact of the 2026 event was $4,272,908 in direct business sales and generating an estimated $295,799 in local taxes (Attachment 2). Since the event is hosted in April prior to the start of the summer season, it drives higher occupancy and average daily rates at hotels in Oceanside more than any other event, generating $2,013,822 in lodging last year. Visit Oceanside has committed to increasing its annual contribution to $75,000 and additional in-kind services in support of the event during the term of the agreement.
Under the proposed agreement, the City would provide municipal support services consistent with prior Ironman 70.3 Oceanside events, including Police, Fire, Lifeguard, Parking Enforcement, Parks and Recreation, and Harbor Maintenance. City support would be provided under a cost-sharing model consistent with prior years. Venue fees and a portion of staffing costs would be waived, subject to a not-to-exceed payment of $57,000 by the event organizer, which is a significant increase from the not-to-exceed payment of $15,000 required under the current agreement. Additionally, the City may increase the not-to-exceed payment by a maximum of 5% per year based on increased operational costs. A detailed estimate of the venue use and staffing costs is provided (Attachment 3).
The World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) hosts an IronKids event in conjunction with Ironman 70.3 Oceanside. A portion of the proceeds of that event are donated to the City for the Parks and Recreation scholarship fund. World Triathlon Corporation also sponsors youth and sports groups and makes annual charitable contributions to Oceanside charities and schools.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated real cost to the City for the 2027 event is $93,761, there is an additional $38,400 in contracted expenses and an additional $77,720 in the form of an in-kind donation for the use of facilities and parking for a total City subsidy of approximately $209,881. This cost would be partially offset by World Triathlon Corporation’s contribution which is not to exceed $57,000 in the first year, and includes a maximum 5% increase per year thereafter based on increased costs to the City. These funds would be deposited into the Special Events account 170936101.4358.
|
Description |
Annual Cost |
City Cost |
WTC Cost |
|
City personnel and overtime costs |
$93,761 |
$56,161 |
$37,600 |
|
Contracted expenses (transportation, traffic control, etc.) |
38,400 |
19,000 |
19,400 |
|
In-kind services (parking lot and Recreation facility waivers |
77,720 |
77,720 |
0 |
|
Total |
$209,881 |
$152,881 |
$57,000 |
Staff requests an ongoing appropriation of $42,000 (the increase in World Triathlon Corporation’s contribution) to the following Special Events revenue and expense accounts.
|
Description |
Account |
Amount |
|
Special Events Revenue |
170936101.4358 |
$42,000 |
|
Overtime |
170936101.5120 |
32,000 |
|
Special Events Contracted Expenses |
170936101.5435 |
10,000 |
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
Not applicable
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The referenced document has been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
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Prepared by: Manuel Gonzalez, Parks and Recreation Director
Reviewed by: Rob O’Brien, Deputy City Manager
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Agreement
2. Event Impact Summary
3. Venue Use and Staffing Costs