Latest news with #ProfessionalTriathletesOrganisation
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
SURJ Sports Investment announces strategic onvestment in Professional Triathletes Organisation
Investment to fuel PTO's global expansion and mass participation strategy, including planned growth in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region Partnership reflects SURJ's commitment to building new platforms that empower athletes, inspire fans, and promote active lifestyles Riyadh: SURJ Sports Investment has today announced its investment in the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) as part of the organisation's Series C funding round, alongside founding investor Sir Michael Moritz, Cordillera Investment Partners and Verance Capital. The funding will support the PTO's continued international growth at both elite and mass participation levels, plus innovation in race formats and long-term athlete and fan engagement. It will also help accelerate the PTO's expansion into the MENA region, with Saudi Arabia a likely future host market for its flagship T100 Triathlon World Tour. The partnership reflects Saudi Arabia's growing demand for inclusive, mass participation sport in line with the ambitions of Vision 2030. Between 2022 and 2024, national triathlon participation rose by 24%, supported by a 6,000% increase in viewership. In 2024 alone, six mass participation events were staged across the country, drawing thousands of new entrants and expanding access to sport for communities nationwide. Globally, the partnership aligns with the broader push for gender equality in endurance sport. The T100 Tour features equal representation of male and female professional athletes and provides new competitive platforms designed to elevate women across the global triathlon landscape. Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, said: 'The PTO is redefining endurance sport for modern audiences – blending elite racing with inclusive, mass participation formats, global storytelling and community engagement. We're proud to support this next phase of growth and to explore how the model can inspire more people across the region to get active. I saw the power of the platform first-hand at the 2024 finale in Dubai – and it's clear the T100 Tour is just getting started.' SURJ Sports Investment was established in 2023 to develop a world-class sports sector in Saudi Arabia and beyond, through strategic investments in leading rights holders and high-growth enablers across the global sports ecosystem. Sir Michael Moritz, who led the Series A round and has remained a key supporter through Series B and now Series C, continues to double down on the PTO's long-term potential. Speaking to media following the T100 World Championship Final in Dubai last year – the culmination of the Tour's first full season – he reflected on what drew him to the sport five years ago: 'The reason for my original investment was simple. I thought triathlon was a niche sport that, with a dose of creativity and imagination along with the explosion of online video channels, could be transformed into a compelling spectator sport and a much more attractive proposition for everyday participants. The excitement that has built around T100 demonstrates that we're well on the way to doing so.' Today's announcement follows a $10 million investment from Cordillera Investment Partners in March 2025 and builds on previous rounds led by Divergent Investments, Warner Bros. Discovery, and health-focused venture fund Eckuity. Sam Renouf, CEO of the PTO, added: 'We're delighted to welcome SURJ and Verance Capital to the PTO investor family. This is a major milestone not only for us as an organisation, but for the broader vision of triathlon's future. Our goal has always been to reimagine the sport for modern audiences and open up participation to athletes of all levels. With new partners like SURJ and Cordillera, we're better equipped than ever to scale our ambitions globally. The momentum from our record-breaking Singapore event is just the beginning of what we hope to achieve in 2025 and beyond.' The Series C investment comes at a time of rapid growth for the PTO. In 2024, the organisation launched the T100 Triathlon World Tour, a reimagined endurance series featuring the world's top 20 male and female triathletes, competing alongside amateur athletes in major global cities including Singapore, San Francisco, London, Ibiza, Lake Las Vegas, and Dubai. In 2025, the T100 Tour has expanded from seven to nine races. It returned to Singapore (5–6 April), where 7,000 amateur participants took part in a mix of triathlon and duathlon events — as well as an untimed 5km music run designed to attract first-time participants. Other races include San Francisco (31 May–1 June), Vancouver (13–15 June), London (9–10 August), France (30-31 August), Valencia (20 September), Wollongong (18 October), Dubai (15–16 November), and Qatar (12–13 December), which will host the first Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final as part of a new five-year partnership with Visit Qatar. For Further Information: Anthony Scammell E: Norah Binkhathllan: nbinkhathllan@ About Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) The PTO is a sports body that is co-owned by its professional athletes, seeking to elevate and grow the sport of triathlon and take it to the next level. Its T100 Triathlon World Tour was introduced in January 2024 and is designated by World Triathlon as the 'official World Championship for long distance triathlon', which is part of a 12-year strategic partnership with the sport's international governing body. The T100 Triathlon World Tour is a season-long schedule of World Championship level races competed over 100km (2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run), where the world's best triathletes go head-to-head in iconic locations on a global broadcast showing the races live around the world in 195+ territories, courtesy of the PTO's partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery as well as a range of other international, regional and local broadcasters. In 2025 these will include: Singapore (5-6 April), San Francisco (31 May-1 June), Vancouver (13-15 June), London (9-10 August), France (30-31 August), Valencia (20 September), Wollongong (18 October), Dubai (15-16 November) and Qatar (12-13 December) for the first Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final. T100 weekends are 'festivals of multisport' and feature a range of opportunities for amateur athletes of all levels to get involved. From experienced amateurs tackling the 100km distance to first-time swim, bike and run participants taking on single discipline, untimed events. For more information visit About SURJ Sports Investment SURJ (/Surge/) Sports Investment, a PIF company, is fueling the growth of international sport through strategic investments with global and local resonance. Its mandate centers on investing in global rights holders and key enablers in the global sports ecosystem – investments that will generate long-term returns, empower sports and sports-adjacent businesses to innovate and reach new audiences and create new experiences. SURJ Sports Investment is unlocking game-changing opportunities, inspiring the next generation of talent and fans in Saudi Arabia, the wider MENA region and beyond. For more about SURJ Sports Investment, visit
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Saudi Fund Invests $40 Million in Moritz-Backed Triathlon Series
The sports arm of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, SURJ, has completed a funding round for the organizers behind the T100 Triathlon Tour, in efforts to grow the series and expand its presence in the Middle East. The investment by SURJ is part of a Series C funding round for the Professional Triathletes Organisation, contributing to an estimated total raise of $40 million. Bloomberg first reported on the talks earlier this month.
Daily Tribune
17-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Dubai T100 Triathlon Returns in 2025 – Promising a Bigger and Better Weekend
The Dubai T100 Triathlon Weekend is coming back from November 13 to 16, 2025, and it's set to be even bigger and better than before, according to the Dubai Sports Council. After a successful debut in 2024, this international triathlon—organized in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO)—will once again feature a 100km race (2km swim, 80km bike ride, 18km run) and a Sprint race (750m swim, 20km bike ride, 5km run). A Boost for Dubai's Fitness and Tourism Goals Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said the event plays a big role in Dubai's Fitness Challenge and fits perfectly with the city's long-term goal to become a leading global destination for sport and tourism. 'We expect the 2025 race to bring in even more international attention, boost our economy, and show off Dubai's energy and lifestyle to the world,' he said. More Events and a Bigger Community Focus Eisa Sharif, Director of Sports Events at Dubai Sports Council, shared that nearly 10,000 amateur athletes joined the 2024 races, along with top professionals like Olympic champions Marten Van Riel (Belgium) and Taylor Knibb (USA)—the first-ever T100 World Champions. He added that the 2025 edition will expand even further, including: More amateur spots in both 100km and Sprint races A Schools Triathlon for young athletes A Corporate Relay event for companies A community-friendly 5km Music Run open to all ages and abilities 'These additions will help promote a healthy, active lifestyle and make sport accessible for everyone in Dubai,' Sharif said. Growing Global Tour Sam Renouf, CEO of PTO, said the Dubai leg of the tour has already become a must-do event on the global triathlon calendar. 'The vibe, the support, and the setting at Meydan Racecourse were unforgettable in 2024, and we're excited to welcome even more participants next year,' he said. So far, the 2025 T100 World Tour has visited Singapore, San Francisco, and Vancouver. The next stop is London (August 9–10) before heading to Qatar for the final showdown.
ARN News Center
16-07-2025
- Sport
- ARN News Center
Dubai to host second edition of T100 Triathlon Weekend in November
Dubai will host the second edition of the T100 Triathlon Weekend from November 13–16, with organisers promising it will be "bigger and better" as registrations open to amateur triathletes in the 100km race and Sprint distance. Held by Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO), it will see athletes Marten Van Riel from Belgium and Taylor Knibb from US defend their titles. It will also see the introduction of a schools event and corporate relay to boost community involvement, with all three race categories expanded. The Dubai race comes after T100 stops in Singapore, San Francisco and Vancouver, with London (August 9–10) up next. Swiss athlete Julie Derron currently leads the women's rankings, while Van Riel holds the top spot in the men's standings. 'After the remarkable success of the 2024 debut, we are confident that the 2025 edition will attract global attention, contribute to the local economy and highlight Dubai's diverse offerings to international audiences," added Ahmed Al Khaja, Chief Executive of Dubai Festivals and Retail Division.
Dubai Eye
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Dubai to host second edition of T100 Triathlon Weekend in November
Dubai will host the second edition of the T100 Triathlon Weekend from November 13–16, with organisers promising it will be "bigger and better" as registrations open to amateur triathletes in the 100km race and Sprint distance. Held by Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO), it will see athletes Marten Van Riel from Belgium and Taylor Knibb from US defend their titles. It will also see the introduction of a schools event and corporate relay to boost community involvement, with all three race categories expanded. The Dubai race comes after T100 stops in Singapore, San Francisco and Vancouver, with London (August 9–10) up next. Swiss athlete Julie Derron currently leads the women's rankings, while Van Riel holds the top spot in the men's standings. 'After the remarkable success of the 2024 debut, we are confident that the 2025 edition will attract global attention, contribute to the local economy and highlight Dubai's diverse offerings to international audiences," added Ahmed Al Khaja, Chief Executive of Dubai Festivals and Retail Division.
