USA Triathlon shakes-up day licences and annual membership fees

USA Triathlon has this week unveiled a new tiered membership structure. According to the national governing body, this provides multisport athletes with… ‘more flexibility in choosing a membership, and benefits that fit within their unique multisport journey.’

The new USA Triathlon memberships feature Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers, each with different price points and benefits.

The new memberships and benefits are USA Triathlon’s first updates and price increases to the annual membership structure since 2016. There are, however, notable changes in the pricing model – both in terms of annual membership and day licence fees.

In summary, the biggest and most significant increases in membership fees are for those racing for Team USA, while there are savings for some of those taking up day licences (i.e. those tending to race short course triathlon a small number of times per year).

Annual memberships
Current USA Triathlon annual members will automatically transition to the Silver membership. This includes: unlimited access to USA Triathlon sanctioned events, exclusive training guides and resources, a digital subscription to the quarterly USA Triathlon Magazine, and access to extended race and partner discounts. The Silver membership is US$60 annually (up US$10 per year from the previous US$50 standard annual membership fee).

The Gold membership (US$99) includes all the benefits from the Silver membership, plus a welcome gift — a Zone3 Swim Buoy and goggles (value US$70) — print subscription to USA Triathlon Magazine and priority check-in at USA Triathlon National Championships and select USA Triathlon events.

The Platinum membership (US$400) is positioned as USA Triathlon’s premium membership offering. Here, USAT notes that there are… ‘two experience choices, one for qualifying Team USA athletes who plan to compete internationally as part of Age Group Team USA and one for those who want an additional way to give back to USA Triathlon through the Foundation.’

These high-level Platinum memberships include everything from the Gold and Silver memberships… ‘plus a wide variety of perks, discounts and experiences alongside an exclusive Platinum gift.’

The new Platinum membership must be taken up by any athlete representing Team USA; and this represents a significant 700% uplift in the previous US$50 annual membership.

Day licences
For day licences, USA Triathlon’s Bronze membership offering is a single-event membership with pricing based on event distance.

USAT adds that Bronze memberships replace the current USA Triathlon one-day licence and are tailored for athletes competing in one event per year, with prices starting at US$13 for sprint and super-sprint distances… ‘lowering the barrier to entry for our fastest growing race format.’

The previous day licence fee was US$15, which was standard across all race distances. This means a small US$2 saving per race entry for those racing in short course, sprint and super-sprint, events.

However, there is a day licence increase for those racing Olympic distance (US$18, an extra US$3 per person, per race entry) and events that are half iron distance / iron distance (US$23, an extra US$8 per person, per race).

Relay races will have a single day membership of US$6 per person. This is regardless of distance or number of stages in the relay. So, for example, in a three-person team relay triathlon each person needs to buy a US$6 Bronze day licence membership (US$18 total, down from US$45 total / US$15 per person previously).

Victoria Brumfield, USA Triathlon CEO, said “After considering the unique journeys of each of our members, we have expanded our membership structure to create new products that are tailored to incorporate each athlete’s individual needs, ambitions and goals.

“From the athlete training for their first race to our most engaged, passionate members, the new USA Triathlon membership offerings are designed to help athletes start racing, race more and race better.”

A release from USAT added that… ‘The revenue derived from USA Triathlon membership products work in a variety of ways: direct membership support and benefits as well as indirect benefits that help drive programs that support USA Triathlon mission and values and to grow the sport.

‘These programs work to instil active and healthy lifestyles, help the growth of the sport, including youth and DEIA programming and resources for race directors, USA Triathlon certified coaches and clubs. USA Triathlon annual members are included in the USA Triathlon National Rankings with the chance to earn All-American Honors and are eligible to compete for a spot on Age Group Team USA for the World Triathlon Age Group World Championships.’

The new tiered membership structure applies to adult age-group athletes only. It is not applicable to youth or elite memberships.