World Aquatics Announces Open Water World Cup Schedule
World Aquatics has today unveiled the schedule for the Open Water Swimming World Cup 2026/27, where the world’s best open water swimmers will compete across five stops spanning Mexico, Egypt, Italy and Portugal as momentum builds toward the World Aquatics Championships – Budapest 2027.
Developed based on feedback received from the open water community to align more closely with the global calendar of major competitions and better support athlete preparation as a result, the revamped calendar will be held for the first time across two calendar years, with the opening stop of the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup 2026/27 season commencing in Cancún, Mexico from 6-7 November 2026.
The first competition after the turn of the year sees Somabay, Egypt host the action from 19-20 March 2027.
With the location of the season’s third stop (23-24 April 2027) yet to be revealed, Golfo Aranci, Italy will stage the fourth event on the calendar from 30 April – 1 May, before the World Cup draws to a close with the fifth and final stop in Setúbal, Portugal from 28-29 May 2027.
The season’s concluding chapter in Portugal provides the perfect platform to build anticipation ahead of the World Aquatics Championships – Budapest 2027, with the Open Water Swimming competition taking place five weeks later, from 3 to 8 July.
World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup 2026/27 – schedule:
- Cancún (MEX) – 6-7 November 2026
- Somabay (EGY) – 19-20 March 2027
- TBD – 23-24 April 2027
- Golfo Aranci (ITA) – 30 April – 1 May 2027
- Setúbal (POR) – 28-29 May 2027
World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam said: “We are delighted to announce the hosts of the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup 2026/27, featuring five races across some of the world’s most iconic locations, providing a platform for the world’s best to build towards the World Aquatics Championships – Budapest 2027.
“We are extremely grateful to all of our host cities for sharing our ambition to take Open Water swimming to new heights and make these seasons the most exciting yet, combining world-class racing, spectacular settings and the added allure of major events on the horizon.”
Mexico returns to the open water swimming calendar for the first time since 2015, with the pristine waters of Cancún set to host the 2026/27 opener from 6-7 November this year.
Aquatics Mexico Secretary General, Daniel Delgadillo looked ahead to the event with huge excitement.
“It is a privilege for Mexico to welcome back the world’s best open water swimmers for the first time in over a decade, especially for the season opener,” he said.
“Athletes and coaches can expect a memorable experience, and spectators can look forward to world-class racing in one of the world’s most picturesque resorts.”
The Egyptian city of Somabay on the Red Sea coast first hosted a World Cup event in 2023, and has become a mainstay in the calendar every year since its introduction. The second stop of the 2026/27 season will take place from 19-20 March.
This year’s opening stop saw Florian Wellbrock (GER) follow up his clean sweep at the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025 with golds in the Men’s 10km and Mixed 4x1500m Relay. Moesha Johnson (AUS), the Paris Olympics silver medallist in the 10km, won the Women’s 10km race.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr Ezz Nour, said: “Somabay has become a key destination on the Open Water Swimming World Cup calendar in recent years, and we are delighted to see the city strengthen its status by staging events in the 2026/27 and 2027/28 campaigns.
“This event is one of the highlights of the year, attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and inspiring a new generation to discover the joy of open water swimming, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to showcase the best of our city on the world stage over the next two years.”
The Open Water Swimming World Cup circuit then moves to a third stop – the location of which is yet to be confirmed – before the Sardinian village of Golfo Aranci brings the season to the Mediterranean Sea for the third consecutive year from 30 April – 1 May.
Johnson continued her domination this year with another Women’s 10km and 3km Knockout Sprint double there, while Betlehem triumphed in the Men’s 3km Knockout Sprint. Sacha Velly (FRA) won his first-ever Men’s 10km in Golfo Aranci, and hosts Italy clinched a sensational victory in the Mixed 4x1500m Relay.
General Secretary of the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN), Mr. Antonello Panza, said: “Golfo Aranci is delighted to continue its partnership with World Aquatics and welcome the Open Water Swimming World Cup for a third time in three years.
“Our spectacular coastline offers a fitting backdrop for this world-class event, and having witnessed plenty of drama and entertainment earlier in the year, we’re excited to raise the bar once again in 2026/27.”
The fifth and final stop of the Open Water Swimming World Cup will be held in Setúbal for the second year running from 28-29 May.
Setúbal is one of the most experienced hosts of open water swimming, having hosted 17 World Cup events since 2007, and therefore providing a fitting final chapter as athlete preparations zero in on the Open Water Swimming competition at Budapest 2027 – which begins just five weeks later.
Miguel Arrobas, President of the Portuguese Swimming Federation, looked forward to staging the event.
“We are excited to host World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup once again.
“What’s even more exciting is the prospect of welcoming the world’s best for next year’s closing chapter, giving athletes the chance to win the final event of the year and finalise their preparations for the World Aquatics Championships – Budapest 2027,” he said.