2026 WorldWorld Aquatics Offers Record-Breaking Prize Money
GENEVA, June 20 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The World Aquatics announced Friday that the prize pool of the 2026 Swimming World Cup will be US$1.2 million, with an additional US$10,000 bonus for world record-setters and crown winners, Xinhua reported.
Significant prize money is available across the other five aquatic sports throughout the 2026 season. Water polo's total prize in 2026 will be US$695,000, while diving's Super Final in Xi'an, China, will be US$956,000.
"Prize money is structured to reflect the nature of the competition format in each sport, with the clear principle that athletes stand to earn meaningful sums throughout the season at World Aquatics World Cup events and World Aquatics Championships," World Aquatics said in its statement.
In the 2025 season, 12 world records were broken, one was equalled, and 23 crowns were claimed, which resulted in a total payout of US$1.57 million.
World Aquatics has offered some of the largest prize pots in international sport in recent years, including a record US$6.1 million at the Singapore World Aquatics Championships.
The world swimming governing body also promised to launch the Post-Career Compensation Fund, beginning with an initial investment of US$10 million, to athletes upon retirement. Athletes who have competed in 80 per cent of events organised by the World Aquatics over a four-year period are eligible for the money.
-- BERNAMA-XINHUA
