Ironman in Nice: the prefecture cancels the events due to the heat wave

The Alpes-Maritimes prefecture has cancelled the Ironman Nice and Ironman 70.3, scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026. The decision comes due to the continuation of the orange heat wave alert. Nearly 4,500 triathletes were expected on the Promenade des Anglais.

The Ironman Nice will not take place this Sunday, June 28. The Alpes-Maritimes prefecture announced on Friday, June 26, the cancellation of the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 due to the heat wave affecting the department and much of France.

The prefectural order justifies this decision by the extension of the orange alert and the need to protect participants as well as the mobilized teams. “Given the extension of the orange heat wave alert in the department, in the context of a prolonged heat wave episode affecting the national territory, the Prefect has decided to cancel the IronMan and IronMan 70.3 competitions in Nice this Sunday, June 28, both to protect the health of participants (runners, organizers, security and rescue forces mobilized) and to preserve any excessive impact on rescue and emergency health services already heavily strained in the territory.”

Temperatures equivalent to last year

Forecasts predict approximately 32°C in the shade Sunday afternoon. In direct sunlight, the thermometer could exceed 40°C. Last year, the mercury already showed strong similarities… Besides, the Ironman World Championships taking place this year on October 10 in Hawaii usually experience temperatures around 28 to 35°C, or more on certain exposed sections.

Nearly 4,500 triathletes from around the world were to start on the Promenade des Anglais for the swimming, cycling, and running events. The rescue resources planned for the competition to ensure the safety of athletes and the public can now be mobilized for health management related to the heat wave.

Just Thursday, the organizers expressed their confidence. “The situation is rather typical for Nice where the forecast temperature is even slightly lower than last year. Triathlon is a summer sport; we are used to organizing the competition in these conditions,” said Yves Cordier, director of Ironman France.

This 2026 edition took place in a particular context. The city of Nice had withdrawn its financial support for the event after the election of the new mayor, Eric Ciotti. The organizers had nevertheless decided to maintain the competition. The heat wave ultimately led the state services to announce the cancellation.