Montréal, January 30, 2023 – On February 25, Montréal will play host to the first-ever Canadian event in the history of the Arena Games Triathlon. This eSports format, which blends real-life and virtual reality racing through a unique partnership with Zwift, will feature the world’s elite triathletes at the Olympic Park Sports Center for the first stage in a series that will continue in Sursee, Switzerland, followed by Singapore and London. And because attending the event is just as exciting as competing, fans are invited to turn out in large numbers.
THE CONCEPT
Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift is a ground-breaking immersive experience from Super League Triathlon that combines in-person performances with virtual reality. Fans of triathlon and of eSports will be spoilt for choice as they watch the real-world athletes’ efforts as well as their in-game avatars on a big screen, with real-time data providing insights into the performances and camera angles plunging them right into the action and the heat of battle. Spectators will enjoy this innovative sports spectacle in the comfortable, dynamic surroundings of the Olympic Park Sports Center. To view the concept in action, go here >>>
To be crowned victors, competitors must race two heats and one final, combining 200 m of swimming in the Olympic pool, 4 km of cycling on a static bike, and 1 km of running on a treadmill multiple times. Arena Games Triathlon results also contribute points toward the World Triathlon rankings.
Since its launch in 2020, the Arena Games Triathlon series has won multiple sports industry awards and has thrilled sold-out crowds. More than 21 million viewers watched the series on various broadcast platforms in 2022.
“Arena Games Triathlon powered by Zwift has been recognized as one of the most dynamic and pioneering race formats in sport today and has won legions of fans,” says Super League Triathlon CEO Michael D’Hulst. “We cannot wait to bring this format to Canada and particularly Montréal, which has such a rich triathlon history. Arena Games Triathlon has ambitions to make it to the Olympics and we hope all those fans who attend will see just how impressive and entertaining it is.”
THE MONTRÉAL STAGE
Some 40 athletes in men’s and women’s categories are entered in the competition, by invitation only based on their world rankings. They include Québecers Noémie Beaulieu (Gatineau) and Jérémy Briand (Sainte-Julie) along with Ontario’s Dominika Jamnicky (Guelph). Will any of them be able to dethrone reigning eSports Triathlon World Champions Alex Yee and Beth Potter? The upcoming season-opening event in Montréal will give us a preview!
Arena Games Montréal is produced by Montréal-based Productions Podium, a leading player in the organization of large-scale sports events in Québec, which has produced the Groupe Copley World Triathlon Championship Series Montréal since 2016.
“We are constantly striving to innovate and grow the popularity of triathlon,” says Productions Podium Executive Chair Patrice Brunet. “In 2022 we presented the first-ever World Triathlon Sprint & Relay Championships in Montréal, and this year we’re excited to be diving into the immersive world of the Arena Games Triathlon. These two events are guaranteed crowd-pleasers with their one-of-a-kind, short, sharp and action-packed formats. Triathlon is modernizing and is now more accessible than ever. So we are pleased and proud to give families the chance to discover the discipline in an exciting format, experiencing all the action from start to finish, in comfortable seats and in the middle of winter to boot!”
The event is made possible thanks to the collaboration of Triathlon Canada and Triathlon Québec as well as the organizer’s public-sector partners, the Government of Québec, the City of Montréal and Tourisme Montréal.
ABOUT
PRODUCTIONS PODIUM
Founded in 2016, Productions Podium organizes and produces local, national and international sports and cultural events. It stands out for its ability to pivot quickly, its commitment to excellence and its diverse roster of sports events. This year it will be producing the Groupe Copley World Triathlon, World Triathlon Para Series Montreal and PATCO Cup, Challenger 3×3 de Québec, DISTRIX Festival, Triathlon de Verdun and On court Montréal series, along with the brand-new Arena Games Triathlon Montréal, WDSF – DISTRIX Breaking and SMASH Festival. With major projects and unique events in its sights, Productions Podium is an increasingly prominent figure on the event landscape in Montréal and Québec.
SUPER LEAGUE TRIATHLON
Super League Triathlon (SLT) is the world’s premier swim-bike-run series, pitting the very best athletes against each other in quick and exciting race formats in fantastic destinations across the globe. The Championship Series takes place from August-November with the best triathletes on the planet doing battle over game-changing formats which are redefining the sport for a modern audience. Super League’s Arena Games Triathlon is a dynamic new eSports format that blends real-life and virtual racing to deliver an immersive viewing experience via a unique partnership with Zwift. It crowns official triathlon esports World Champions thanks to its ground-breaking partnership with World Triathlon.