The ITU has confirmed the race calendar for the 2017 World Triathlon Series ©ITU

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has confirmed the list of venues which will form the 2017 World Triathlon Series (WTS) race calendar and has launched the bid process for the 2020 Grand Final.

Leeds’ successful debut in the 2016 season has earned the British city a spot on the programme for the second year running, while the ITU have declined to add any debutants to the 2017 Series.

The 2017 campaign is due to begin in Abu Dhabi, which will host the opening event for the third consecutive edition of the Series, on March 3 and 4.

It will then head to Gold Coast, due to stage the 2018 Grand Final, on April 8 and 9 before long-time host Yokohama will stage the third leg of the season on May 13 and 14.

Triathlon fans in Leeds, the nearest major city for Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee and brother Jonathan, will get a second taste of the Series following its debut earlier this month, which attracted 80,000 spectators, on June 10 and 11.

"In its debut on the ITU World Triathlon Series this year, Leeds proved to be a phenomenal host, with crowds of people pouring into the streets to cheer on the world’s best triathletes," ITU President Marisol Casado said.

"We have no doubt that the challenging course and roaring atmosphere will make for a great race again in 2017."

The European stops on the calendar continues in Hamburg on July 15 and 16.

Edmonton in Canada, host of the 2014 Grand Final, will hold the sixth event, with dates yet to be confirmed by the ITU, before it switches back to Europe for the final regular season competition in Stockholm on August 26 and 27.

Rotterdam in The Netherlands is due to stage the Grand Final from September 14 to 17.

Leeds has been chosen to host an ITU World Triathlon Series event for the second year in a row
Leeds has been chosen to host an ITU World Triathlon Series event for the second year in a row ©Getty Images

“The WTS is the pinnacle of elite triathlon racing,” said Casado, a member of the International Olympic Committee.

“The WTS has been paramount in bringing international attention to triathlon by holding races in iconic locations that are broadcast to a global audience.

“The Series not only serves as the pathway to World Championship titles and Olympic qualification in iconic locations, but also offers thousands of age groupers around the world the opportunity to race on similar courses as the professionals in a close environment.

"I’m confident that next year’s calendar will again impress our elite athletes, age groupers and fans everywhere."

Those countries interested in hosting the 2020 ITU WTS Grand Final have until August 18 to submit their bid to the sport’s worldwide governing body.

Organising Committees will present to the ITU Executive Board at its meeting in Madrid in December, where they will elect a chosen host city.