Ironman 70.3 Nice 2026 takes place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, the same day as the full-distance Ironman France Nice. Two iconic races in the same place. Preparing for an event of this scale requires logistical planning: choosing your hotel, access to the bike park, nutrition, and rest before the start. This article brings together everything you need to know about the course, schedules and registration, and explains why staying a 10-minute walk from Plage des Ponchettes is a game-changer on race morning.
Ironman 70.3 Nice 2026: race date and format
The 2026 edition of the Nice triathlon takes place on Sunday, June 28, 2026. A special feature of this season is that Nice hosts two races on the same day: Ironman France Nice (full distance, official Ironman distance) and Ironman 70.3 Nice (half, half-distance). Both races share the same swim start at Plage des Ponchettes, in Old Nice, on the French Riviera.
Official distances for both races
| Race | Swim | Bike | Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ironman France Nice (full) | 3.8 km | 180 km (elevation gain 2,518 m) | 42.2 km |
| Ironman 70.3 Nice (half) | 1.9 km | 90 km | 21.1 km |
Key times for June 28, 2026
- Bike park opens: 5:00 AM to 5:50 AM (Quai des États-Unis)
- Ironman 70.3 Nice start: 6:20 AM (Plage des Ponchettes)
- Ironman France pro men start: 7:40 AM
- Ironman France pro women start: 7:42 AM
- IRONMAN shop open: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Quai des États-Unis)
Ironman 70.3 Nice 2026 course
The 70.3 course links the three disciplines across iconic sites on the French Riviera. The swim takes place in the Mediterranean from Plage des Ponchettes, in water averaging 23°C in late June. The 90 km bike course climbs into the Nice hinterland, passing through Saint-Jeannet, Carros and the Var valley. The return is via the Promenade des Anglais before the transition to the 21.1 km run, flat and along the seafront.
Swim: 1.9 km from Plage des Ponchettes
The start is in waves of 250 athletes from 6:20 AM. Plage des Ponchettes is at the foot of Old Nice, just below Cours Saleya. Access is on foot from the hotel. Clear water, generally little current. The swim exit is on Quai des États-Unis, where the transition areas and official shop are located.
Bike: 90 km in the Nice hinterland
The course leaves the seafront to climb into the hills north of Nice. Moderate elevation gain on the 70.3 format, more demanding on Ironman France (elevation gain 2,518 m). Aid stations are spaced every 20 to 25 km. The return is via the Promenade des Anglais before the second transition.
Run: 21.1 km flat, along the seafront
The run course follows the Promenade des Anglais between Plage du Voilier and Old Nice, in loops. Completely flat profile, exposed to the sun in the afternoon. The finish is in front of the Palais de la Méditerranée, often with a dense crowd of supporters. Official cut-off time to be confirmed on Ironman.com.
Hotel near Plage des Ponchettes for Ironman 70.3 Nice
Staying close to the start changes everything on race morning. No transfer stress, no risk of traffic jams, no waking up 2 hours earlier than necessary. Hôtel Busby is located at 38 rue Maréchal Joffre, around 700 metres’ walk from Plage des Ponchettes. You walk down with your gear and reach the bike park in under 10 minutes. The return after the race is under the same conditions, ideal for recovering quickly. To plan your stay, browse our 7 room categories in Nice, some of which are perfect for couples and families accompanying an athlete.
Why a city-centre hotel rather than an airport hotel
Many international triathletes land at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport and stay near the terminal to make arrival easier. A bad idea for Ironman 70.3 Nice. Airport hotels are 6 km from the start, meaning at least a 30-minute transfer on race morning. A city-centre hotel like the Busby puts the athlete a 10-minute walk from the start and a 20-minute tram ride from the airport on the way back. For tram details, see our page on the hotel near the airport.
Hôtel Busby services tailored to triathletes
Our team has welcomed several waves of triathletes in previous editions. We adapt our services to the specific needs of the sport.
- Free luggage storage 24/7 to store bike bag, transition bags and equipment
- Express continental breakfast for €7 available from dawn for 5:00 AM starts
- Reception open at night for late returns after the finisher line
- Concierge service able to book an emergency physiotherapist or osteopath
- Secure luggage area for disassembled bikes during and after the race
- Multilingual welcome (French, English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic) for international athletes
Preparing for Ironman 70.3 Nice 2026: logistics checklist
A few practical recommendations compiled over the years.
- Book your hotel as soon as your race registration is confirmed (8 to 12 months ahead)
- Plan to arrive 2 days early for equipment check-in and the official briefing
- Bring a bike bag and a quick reassembly kit
- Recon the bike course by car the day before (well signposted on ironman.com)
- Hydration and nutrition adapted the day before (no surprises)
- Light breakfast 3 hours before the start (banana, oats, coffee)
VinFast IRONMAN Women’s World Championship: Nice, September 20, 2026
Nice also hosts the 2026 VinFast IRONMAN Women’s World Championship on September 20, 2026. A global event bringing together the best female triathletes on the planet. Same race venues (Plage des Ponchettes for the start, Promenade des Anglais for the finish), same hotel logistics. If you are attending as a spectator, staying in a hotel within walking distance of the course remains the most practical option for the key moments (start, transition, finish). Our affordable 3-star hotel in central Nice offers competitive rates for sports weekends.
Visiting Nice during the Ironman weekend
A triathlete’s stay is not limited to the race. The day before and the day after leave time to discover Nice and the French Riviera. A few suggestions depending on how you feel.
- Cours Saleya flower market (8-minute walk) on Saturday morning
- Promenade des Anglais for active recovery on Monday morning
- Train to Monaco from the SNCF station (10-minute walk from the hotel)
- Cap Ferrat and Villefranche-sur-Mer for a quiet afternoon
- Old Nice and its narrow streets for a light pre-race dinner
- Public sandy beaches (Blue Beach, Bocca Mar) to unwind
Ironman 70.3 Nice 2026 FAQs
What is the date of 70.3 Nice in 2026?
Ironman 70.3 Nice 2026 takes place on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The swim start is scheduled for 6:20 AM from Plage des Ponchettes, in Old Nice. Ironman France Nice (full distance) takes place the same day, with a slightly later start for the pros (7:40 AM men, 7:42 AM women). The bike park is open from 5:00 AM to 5:50 AM.
What is the Ironman 70.3 Nice course?
The 70.3 course includes a 1.9 km swim from Plage des Ponchettes, a 90 km bike ride in the Nice hinterland (passing through Saint-Jeannet and the Var valley), and a 21.1 km run along the Promenade des Anglais. The exact route and aid stations are published on ironman.com each year as the race approaches.
Where to stay for Ironman 70.3 Nice 2026?
Choose a hotel within walking distance of the start to avoid the stress of early-morning transfers. Hôtel Busby is around 700 metres’ walk from Plage des Ponchettes, i.e., 10 minutes with your gear. Airport hotels add 30 minutes of transfer time on race morning. Direct booking on hotelbusby.fr offers a 15% discount compared with online platforms.
Is there an IRONMAN World Championship in Nice in 2026?
Yes. Nice hosts the 2026 VinFast IRONMAN Women’s World Championship on September 20, 2026. A global event in the full Ironman format, bringing together the best female athletes on the planet. Access and accommodation logistics remain similar to the June race: start at Plage des Ponchettes, finish on the Promenade des Anglais.
Is it better to stay in Old Nice or elsewhere for the race?
Old Nice puts the athlete closest to the swim start (Plage des Ponchettes, a 5-minute walk), but hotels there are scarce and often more expensive. The Carré d’Or, immediately next door, offers an ideal compromise: 10 minutes from the start and 6 minutes from the Promenade des Anglais (run course). Hôtel Busby is in exactly this location, on rue Maréchal Joffre.
Book your Ironman stay at Hôtel Busby Nice
Our team is available 24/7 and adapts services to sports logistics. Let us know your race dates and we will block the room category suited to your profile (solo athlete, couple, accompanying family).
- Phone: +33 (0)4 93 88 19 41
- Address: 38 rue Maréchal Joffre, 06000 Nice
- Direct booking with 15% off on hotelbusby.fr
- A 10-minute walk from Plage des Ponchettes (swim start)
Luggage storage 24/7 · Breakfast from dawn · Multilingual reception
