A Spectator’s Guide to AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series Sunderland

The World Triathlon Championship Series returns to the UK and, for the first time ever, it is being held in the city of Sunderland after successfully being held in Leeds previously.

Where is it?

This year the event is taking to Roker Beach and Seaburn for two days of mass participation and elite triathlon action.

When is it?

Taking place on 29-30 July, the action is spread out over two days. On the Saturday the action gets underway at 7:00 with the Youth Super Series before we close out the day with the top three in the men’s and women’s elite races standing on the podium.

We’re back underway again at 7:00 on Sunday morning with the British Standard Distance Triathlon Championships and Age-Group Team Qualifier, with the elite mixed team relay capping off the weekend from 13:15.

How much is it to watch?

It is free to come along and watch all the action and take in everything that AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series Sunderland has to offer. The grandstand, complete with big screen to watch all the action as it happens, is free to enter for all our mass participation races and will be ticketed for the elite racing. Tickets are sold out for the Saturday, so don’t miss out and get your tickets for Sunday now.

What is there to do?

When you’re not watching the swim, bike run action, the Fan Zone is going to be full to the brim with entertainment, food and drinks, and lots of fun for all. Taking place across the weekend are:

• Active Sunderland Festival
• Face painters
• Characters including the Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty
• Bhangra Dance Troup

There is also a British Triathlon merchandise stand located in the Fan Zone and Athelte Services, where you can all the AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series goodies. If you can't wait for the event, get your merchandise now by clicking here. 

To view the full Fan Zone line up, head over to our Spectators Guide.

Which roads are closed and where can I park?

There are a number of roads that will be closed over the weekend to allow the event to go ahead safely. There will be ‘traffic gaps’ during the event where cars will be allowed access in and out of certain roads, these are time specific though and any cars looking to gain entry or exiting these areas will not be able to do so outside of the times.

There is free parking for spectators at Seaburn Rec Ground (SR6 8AA). This is a 15 minute walk away from the Fan Zone and a further 10-15 minute walk from the start/finish line.

Learn more about road closures and parking here.

What if I am not coming to the event?

Don’t worry if you’re not joining in person. You can still catch all the action of the elite races from the comfort of your own home live on the BBC.  Saturday’s action is live on BBC One from 13:45-17:00 and Sunday’s mixed relay race is live on BBC Two from 13:00-15:00.

Please take photos and videos of the event and share them on social media using #WTCSSunderland but drones are not allowed.

Image by Paul Mitchell