Arena Games Triathlon, an esports version of Super League Triathlon, combines real-life and virtual racing to create an innovative sports experience. It has seen massive growth in audience reach and ticket demand during its 2023 series, pushing it toward a potential future Olympic inclusion.
One of the most unique aspects of the Arena Games Triathlon is its combination of real-life and virtual racing. In this one-of-a-kind event, athletes compete in both the real world and on the popular virtual racing platform Zwift.
After navigating the challenges of Covid restrictions, the event has thrived, marking its success through a series of 2023 competitions in Montreal, Switzerland, and London.
In 2023, Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift, saw:
- A 48% increase in live audience on broadcast to 4 million (2022: 2.7 million)
- Unique broadcast reach rise to 25.4 million (2022: 21.7 million)
- Average audience per broadcast grow by 64%
- 25 million video views on digital channels (2022: 13 million)
- 95% of all tickets sold
The real-life and virtual reality blended racing provides an immersive viewing experience that allows fans to get up close and personal with the best triathletes in the world without leaving the comfort of their seat. The event also gives esport fans, and lovers of sports statistics, the chance to enjoy live data from the athletes in real time.
Arena Games Triathlon’s impressive growth signals not only the rise of innovative sports formats in the post-Covid era but also its potential future in global competitions such as the Olympics.
Australia’s Sophie Linn and South Africa’s Henri Schoeman were crowned Arena Games Triathlon World Champions in 2023, thanks to Super League’s partnership with World Triathlon.
