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Alsharq Tribune-M.Essam
The World Aquatics announced Friday that the prize pool of the 2026 Swimming World Cup will be 1.2 million U.S. dollars, with an additional 10,000 bonus for world record-setters and crown winners.
Significant prize money is available across the other five aquatic sports throughout the 2026 season. Water polo's total prize in 2026 will be 695,000 dollars, while diving's Super Final in Xi'an, China, will be 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 2025 season, 12 world records were broken, one was equalled, and 23 crowns were claimed, which resulted in a total payout of 1.57 million U.S. dollars.
World Aquatics has offered some of the largest prize pots in international sport in recent years, including a record 6.1 million U.S. dollars 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 10 million U.S. dollars, to athletes upon retirement.
Athletes who have competed in 80 percent of events organized by the World Aquatics over a four-year period are eligible for the money.
