The International Swimming League intends to relaunch in 2026 after the COVID, war disruption

The International Swimming League plans to relaunch as soon as 2026 after a three-year hiatus, betting that a revamped business model, stable support and momentum from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics can support a global, team-based competition in one of the marquee sports.

The ISL debuted in 2019 with the goal of keeping swimming fans involved beyond the Olympics by creating a season-long league with regular meets. In the past it has shown big sports stars including Caeleb Dressel, Adam Peaty and Katinka Hosszu.

The ISL last scheduled a season in 2021 and was shut down after being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the negative effects of the war in Ukraine on its main backer, Ukrainian businessman Konstantin Grigorishin.

“The ISL is coming back,” commissioner Ben Allen told Reuters.

“And we’re very excited about the prospect of a relaunch.”

Allen said the “ideal scenario” would see the ISL return in the fall of 2026, with 2027 a firm target if that slips through. The new model is designed to reduce reliance on a single investor and relies heavily on sponsorship and media partnerships.

The return of Splashy

The planned return season will have seven games split across North America and Europe with at least one stop in Asia and the Middle East, Allen said.

The United States, which he described as the ISL’s biggest market, is expected to host events after previous stops, including the 2019 final at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay, where a temporary pool was built inside the stadium.

He said the league used this break to correct the situation after the opinions of athletes, coaches, broadcasters and fans so that it would be better on television.

As part of planning for the restart, the ISL is considering changes to its event schedule. The league previously held two-day sessions, and Allen said the league is now considering a one-day schedule that would make events easier for traveling fans and broadcasters.

“We’re going to do a few tests and trials over the next few months to find that out,” Allen said.

Olympic momentum

The division’s planned return will come as swimming approaches the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, which Allen said creates an opportunity to expand the sport’s appeal beyond the Olympic window and provide athletes with a consistent technical platform to raise their public profiles.

He said the ISL aims to keep swimmers visible throughout the Olympic cycle, saying many athletes lose public attention during the months of the Games, and the league’s emphasis on entertainment will remain central.

He described the ISL meeting as a fast-paced production that includes a poolside stage, graphics, lasers and a DJ, with little downtime between races.

He cited the 2019 and 2021 seasons where the overall title was decided in the final race, emphasizing the ISL’s efforts to create a close, narrative-driven competition.

When asked about the legal dispute affecting the World Aquatics governing body, Allen said that the organization is preparing to return regardless of the outcome.

“Quite simply, no,” Allen said when asked if the lawyers’ wrangling would be an obstacle. World Aquatics agreed to pay US$4.6 million in September with professional swimmers that allowed them to participate in the ISL without losing their right to compete in the Olympics.

World Aquatics has denied any wrongdoing by agreeing to settle the lawsuit, which was filed in 2018. The agreement did not affect an ISL-related lawsuit filed the same year against World Aquatics, which is ongoing.