The Ironman 70.3 World Championships will take place in Nice on September 12 and 13, 2026. Traffic, parking, buses and bike lanes will be disrupted.
The 2026 Ironman 70.3 World Championships will take place on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 in Nice and several municipalities of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis. Significant traffic and parking restrictions are planned from Thursday, September 10 to Monday, September 14.
More than 3,500 athletes from around the world will participate in this swimming, cycling and running competition between sea and mountains. However, disruptions begin as early as Wednesday, September 9 in Nice.
Saturday, September 12 will be dedicated to the women’s event. Sunday, September 13, the men will start. The races are scheduled for early morning, which will result in the main traffic restrictions from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Roads closed since yesterday in Nice
In Nice, the first restrictions began on Wednesday, September 9. Between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., Quai Rauba Capeu and Quai des États-Unis will be closed between Place Guynemer and Avenue Max Gallo. Avenue Max Gallo and Rue Alexandre Mari will also be affected in the afternoon.
From Thursday evening, the measures will extend to the Promenade des Anglais. The north carriageway will be closed between Avenue Max Gallo and Avenue de Verdun from Thursday 8 p.m. to Friday 2 a.m.
Friday, September 11, Quai des États-Unis will be progressively affected by restrictions. From 7 a.m. to midnight, one lane will in particular be reversed in order to maintain traffic towards the port.
From Friday 8 p.m., several roads will be closed until Monday, September 14 at 2 a.m. The Promenade des Anglais, Avenue de Verdun, Avenue de Suède and several streets in the Old Town area will be notably affected.
During the competition weekend, restrictions will extend to several sections of the Promenade des Anglais, Quai des États-Unis and Quai Rauba Capeu.
Nice Airport and A8 surroundings affected
Access to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport will also be disrupted. On Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, the two airport accesses from the north carriageway of the Promenade des Anglais will be closed. Terminal 1 exit will also be affected from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Access to Saint-Laurent-du-Var will also be disrupted. Restrictions will notably concern RM6098, RM95D and RM2209, with closures starting at 5 a.m. on race days.
The Metropolis urges motorists to plan ahead for their journeys. Where possible, alternative routes should be used, particularly via RM6007 and RM99.
However, slowdowns are still possible on the A8 motorway, particularly around the areas affected by the competitors’ route.
Seven municipalities crossed by the bike course
The cycling course for Ironman 70.3 extends over 91.6 kilometers. Seven municipalities in the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis will be crossed: Saint-Laurent-du-Var, La Gaude, Saint-Jeannet, Vence, Le Broc, Carros and Gattières.
In Saint-Laurent-du-Var, restrictions will begin at 5 a.m. and may continue until 4 p.m. depending on the areas. RM6098, RM95D, RM95 and RM2209 will be notably affected. Some roads will reopen progressively in the morning.
In La Gaude, the first closures will take effect from 6:45 a.m. RM118, RM18 and RM2209 will be affected. Depending on the sections, restrictions may continue until 3 p.m.
In Saint-Jeannet, closures will begin around 7:15 a.m. RM18, RM2210 and RM2209 will be notably affected. The measures may remain in place until 2:30 p.m.
In Vence, traffic will be disrupted from 7:15 a.m. RM2210, RM2 and RM202 will be affected. Some restrictions will continue until 1:15 p.m.
At Le Broc, RM1, notably on the Nice road and the Broc road, will be closed from 8:15 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. in the direction affected by the event.
In Carros, the first restrictions will take effect from 8:25 a.m. RM1 and RM2209 will be affected, with closures possibly continuing until 2:30 p.m.
In Gattières, RM2209 will be closed towards Carros from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
These times apply to the race days on September 12 and 13. Reopenings may occur progressively after the competitors pass, depending on the progress of operations.
Parking, buses and bike lanes also affected
Parking will be prohibited on several roads during the measures. The Promenade des Anglais, Quai des États-Unis, Quai Rauba Capeu, Avenue de Verdun, Avenue Max Gallo and Promenade Corniglion Molinier are notably among the affected areas.
Bus lines 8+, 12+, 20 and 98 may experience changes to routes, schedules, terminals or service.
Several bike lanes will also be closed. During the races, the Promenade des Anglais and Promenade Corniglion Molinier will be used by competitors on certain sections. Diversion routes will be put in place.
Pedestrians will also have to deal with several crossing closures, notably around the Promenade des Anglais and Quai des États-Unis.
Motorists are therefore urged to plan ahead for their journeys starting Thursday, September 10. For trips around Nice, Saint-Laurent-du-Var and the Var valley, RM6007 and RM99 may serve as alternatives to certain closed roads. However, heavier traffic is expected on the A8 during the two competition days.
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