The World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) take place from 1 to 6 December 2026 in Beijing, China, bringing together more than 1,000 athletes from over 200 nations for six days of short-course racing. The short-course World Championships are the premier global competition held in a 25-metre pool, offering faster times, tighter turns and a thrilling spectacle that distinguishes it from the long-course equivalent.
What Are the World Aquatics Championships (25m)?
The World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), formerly known as the FINA World Swimming Championships (Short Course), is the biennial global championship for short-course swimming. Races are held in a 25-metre pool rather than the standard Olympic 50-metre pool, which produces faster split times due to more frequent turns and underwater phases. The competition covers all standard swimming disciplines: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley, across distances from 50 metres to 1,500 metres, plus relay events. World Aquatics, the international governing body for aquatic sports, oversees the championship.
When Are the World Aquatics Championships (25m) 2026?
The championships run from Tuesday 1 December to Sunday 6 December 2026. Competition is split into morning heats and evening finals sessions each day. Finals sessions are where medals are decided and world records are most likely to fall. The short-course format tends to produce a high volume of records, as the additional turns and underwater dolphin kicks per length allow elite swimmers to exploit their technical advantages more frequently than in long-course racing.
Where Are the World Aquatics Championships (25m) 2026?
The 2026 championships take place in Beijing, China. This is the third time China has staged the short-course World Championships, following successful editions in Shanghai (2006) and Hangzhou (2018). Beijing’s aquatic facilities, including those built for the 2008 Olympic Games, provide a world-class setting. The Beijing National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube, is one of the most iconic swimming venues in the world. Beijing is served by Capital International Airport and Daxing International Airport, both with extensive global connections.
Key Contenders
Australia’s short-course squad is among the strongest in the world, with swimmers such as Kyle Chalmers, Mollie O’Callaghan and Cameron McEvoy expected to challenge for multiple medals. The United States, traditionally dominant in long-course swimming, also fields a formidable short-course team. European nations including Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Hungary are particularly strong in the 25-metre format, where technical proficiency around the turns is paramount. China will be aiming to deliver strong results in front of a home crowd, with their distance freestyle and butterfly programmes among the world’s best. Canada, Japan and South Korea are also expected to feature prominently on the medal table.
How to Watch the World Aquatics Championships (25m)
World Aquatics events are broadcast through a network of global rights holders. In the United Kingdom, coverage is typically available through the BBC or Eurosport/discovery+. In Australia, Nine and Stan Sport carry aquatics coverage. Fans in the United States can watch via NBC Sports and Peacock. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV provides extensive domestic coverage. World Aquatics also offers a live streaming platform through its website for territories without a dedicated broadcast partner. Highlights are shared across World Aquatics’ official social media channels and YouTube.
History of the World Aquatics Short Course Championships
The short-course World Championships were first held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain in 1993. The event has been staged biennially since, visiting cities across the globe including Hong Kong, Dubai, Windsor, Istanbul, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Budapest. The championships have served as a showcase for emerging talent, with many swimmers using the short-course format to announce themselves on the world stage before going on to Olympic success. Notable past champions include Ian Thorpe, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Adam Peaty and Katinka Hosszu. The event consistently produces world records, particularly in the 100m and 200m events where the additional turns have the greatest impact on overall time.
Tickets for the World Aquatics Championships (25m)
Tickets are available through the official World Aquatics Championships website and local ticketing partners in Beijing. Prices typically range from affordable general admission for morning heats to premium seating for evening finals sessions. Hospitality packages may also be available through the local organising committee. Given the popularity of swimming in China and the prestige of the event, finals sessions are expected to sell out, and early booking is advised. Beijing offers an extensive range of accommodation, from budget options to international hotel chains, all well connected by the city’s metro system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between short-course and long-course swimming?
Short-course races are held in a 25-metre pool, meaning swimmers complete more turns per race. This generally produces faster times and rewards technical underwater skills. Long-course races use a 50-metre Olympic pool.
Are world records set at this event recognised separately?
Yes. Short-course world records are maintained as a separate category from long-course records, as the additional turns and underwater phases produce faster overall times.
How many events are contested?
The programme typically features over 40 individual and relay events across all four strokes plus individual medley, for both men and women.
Is this event related to the Olympic Games?
The World Aquatics Championships (25m) are a standalone competition. Olympic swimming takes place in a 50-metre pool, though many athletes compete in both formats.