Triathlon coming to Downtown Gulfport over weekend

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV) — Gulfport is gearing up for a busy weekend as the Clash Coastal Mississippi Triathlon rolls into town, bringing with it a series of traffic adjustments for residents and visitors.

The 2026 USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships will take over Downtown Gulfport beginning on Friday morning and lasting into Sunday.

This is the first year for Clash Endurance to bring the event to the Mississippi Coast. Over the weekend, events will test all skill levels, bringing together some of the country’s most competitive collegiate athletes and competitors from multiple other countries.

Athletes could be seen days ahead of the event training in Jones Park as crews prepare for opening day.

And though the fun of the weekend’s events is highly anticipated, it’s important to keep a few things in mind, like road closures and diversions.

The City of Gulfport released a traffic diversion plan for the weekend, noting from Friday until Sunday, US 90 will be diverted to the westbound lanes beginning at Highway 49, serving both eastbound and westbound traffic during event hours.

On Friday, the diversion is set to run from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. from 49 and 90 to Markham Drive. Then on Saturday and Sunday, the diversion will run from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. from 49 and 90 to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum entrance in Biloxi.

The city says that law enforcement personnel will be at intersections along the diversion routes to control traffic, so drivers should be cautions as they pass through these areas.

As for triathlon events, the foot race will take place on Second Street between 20th Avenue and Kelly Avenue, causing the street to close at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Overall, it’s going to be an exciting weekend for the City of Gulfport as we welcome all of the amazing athletes to coastal Mississippi.