Aquatics GB, the UK governing body for aquatic sport, has secured a hosting agreement with international federation World Aquatics that will see London stage the final leg of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup on 29-31 October 2027, bringing a major international swim meet back to Great Britain.
Taking place at the London Aquatics Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the event is the first time a benchmark global swimming competition will be held in Great Britain since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Swimming World Cup is a three-week annual circuit competition that has a long-standing track record of high-octane racing, fierce rivalries and providing a truly global platform on which the stars of the sport compete for glory.
For 2027, the London event will be preceded by meets in Berlin on 15-17 October, and Paris on 22-24 October, bringing the competition back to Europe for the first time since 2023, and staged across three acclaimed Olympic host cities.
As well as significant prize pools for standout performers, next year’s Swimming World Cup offers the added incentive of direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, making the 2027 edition among the most highly anticipated in its coveted history.
A total of six events at the Swimming World Cup 2027 will provide an opportunity for Olympic qualification, all at the 50m distance. This includes men’s and women’s 50m Breaststroke, Butterfly and Backstroke events, newly introduced onto the Olympic programme for LA28.
- Men’s 50m Backstroke and Women’s 50m Butterfly – decided at Stop 1 in Berlin
- Men’s 50m Butterfly and Women’s 50m Breaststroke – decided at Stop 2 in Paris
- Men’s 50m Breaststroke and Women’s 50m Backstroke – decided at Stop 3 in London
In bringing the Swimming World Cup to London, Aquatics GB has worked in partnership with UK Sport and the Greater London Authority to successfully bid to bring another world-class sporting event to Great Britain.
Reflecting on the announcement, World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam, said:
“We are delighted to announce Berlin, Paris and London as the host cities for this landmark edition of the Swimming World Cup. Each city has an outstanding sporting pedigree and a proud history of staging spectacular aquatics events as part of previous Olympic Games.
“The Swimming World Cup has a celebrated tradition of delivering drama, entertainment and excitement, showcasing the world’s fastest swimmers on the global stage. Following the success of this year’s Silk Road Tour, the added incentive of LA28 Olympic qualification makes the 2027 edition particularly compelling, and we cannot wait to see the world’s best swimmers in action across these three iconic venues.”
Karen Webb Moss, Chair of Aquatics GB, added:
“Great Britain has a proud history of hosting some of the most memorable events in the sport. We are thrilled to welcome the Swimming World Cup and top-class international swimming back to the London Aquatics Centre.
“This competition has consistently delivered world-class performances, compelling rivalries and unforgettable moments for fans. We are excited to be part of this next chapter in its history, with the prospect of LA28 Olympic qualification adding another compelling dimension to what promises to be a fantastic finale to the 2027 series.”
Esther Britten MBE, Head of Events and External Affairs at UK Sport, said:
“The return of a major international swimming event to the UK is great news for the sport and for fans. We’re delighted to have supported Aquatics GB and partners in securing the Swimming World Cup for London, adding another world-class event to the UK’s sporting calendar.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to compete for Olympic qualification in front of a home crowd just a year out from LA 2028, while giving fans the chance to see the world’s best swimmers up close. We’re looking forward to welcoming athletes and supporters from around the world to what promises to be a brilliant event."
Mark Camley, Executive Director of Estate and Neighbourhoods, London Legacy Development Corporation, commented:
“For many young people who were too young to experience the 2012 Games, seeing Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park once again in the global spotlight can be a source of inspiration. It’s fantastic to welcome the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup to the London Aquatics Centre, with athletes competing for places at LA28 in a venue that continues to embody the lasting legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Mark Basker, Regional Contract Manager for Everyone Active – the London Aquatics Centre venue operator, added:
“London Aquatics Centre is one of the world’s most recognisable swimming venues, and we are delighted it will host the final leg of the 2027 Swimming World Cup. Our team at the centre has extensive experience of delivering a first-class experience for athletes, officials and spectators, and we are looking forward to working closely with Aquatics GB and World Aquatics to make this a standout finale to the series. With Olympic qualification on the line, the atmosphere is going to be incredible.”