The International Swimming League (ISL) is set to make a comeback after a five-year break with an All-Star Match scheduled for December 19 at the London Aquatics Centre, the league announced on Wednesday. This event will mark the initial phase of the league’s planned full revival.
Featuring some of the top swimmers globally, the team-based competition will offer a substantial prize pool, with specific details to be revealed later. Previous ISL competitions have showcased prominent athletes such as Caeleb Dressel from the U.S., Adam Peaty representing Britain, and Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu.
The announcement solidifies the plans disclosed by ISL Commissioner Ben Allen last year, indicating a target to resume activities in the autumn of 2026 with a restructured commercial strategy focusing more on sponsorships and media alliances rather than a sole investor.
Established in 2019 to offer a professional swimming competition outside the regular Olympic calendar, the ISL last conducted a season in 2021 before facing disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and financial challenges linked to its primary supporter, Ukrainian businessman Konstantin Grigorishin.
Allen mentioned in December the league’s intention to kick off a seven-match return season across North America and Europe, potentially expanding to Asia and the Middle East. The possibility of transitioning to a single-day event format was also under consideration following previous two-day competitions.
In a positive move, the league disclosed plans in July to settle overdue prize money owed to approximately 300 athletes from the 2021 season, aiming to clear outstanding debts before the upcoming events.
The upcoming London All-Star Match is expected to act as a trial run for the condensed format, setting the stage for a broader relaunch in the near future. Allen expressed enthusiasm for the event, highlighting London as an ideal host city with a world-class venue and a passionate sports audience.
The London Aquatics Centre, initially constructed for the 2012 Olympics in London, has since become a renowned venue for various international swimming contests. Further details regarding participating swimmers, match structure, ticketing, and broadcasting arrangements will be disclosed by the ISL at a later date.