The International Swimming League (ISL) is set to make a comeback after a five-year break with an All-Star Match at the London Aquatics Centre on December 19, as announced by the league. This event will bring together top swimmers from around the world to compete for a significant prize pool, with specific details to be revealed later. Renowned athletes like Caeleb Dressel, Adam Peaty, and Katinka Hosszu have previously participated in ISL events.
The ISL’s plans for a full relaunch were disclosed by Commissioner Ben Allen last year, aiming to re-establish the league in 2026 with a revised commercial strategy focused more on sponsorships and media partnerships rather than a sole investor. The league, created in 2019 to offer professional swimming competition outside the Olympic schedule, last conducted a season in 2021 before facing disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on its primary supporter, Konstantin Grigorishin.
Initial proposals for the ISL’s comeback season included seven matches across North America and Europe, with potential events in Asia and the Middle East. The league was contemplating a condensed one-day format following previous two-day competitions. In July, the ISL committed to paying outstanding prize money from the 2021 season to approximately 300 athletes.
The upcoming All-Star Match in London will serve as a trial run for the league’s return, described by Allen as a pivotal moment for swimming, showcasing the world’s elite swimmers on the ISL platform. London was chosen as the host city due to its excellent venue at the Aquatics Centre, a renowned location for major swimming competitions. Further details regarding participating swimmers, match format, ticketing, and broadcast arrangements will be disclosed by the ISL soon.
