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 recently. This event marks the initial stage of the league’s planned full relaunch.
The upcoming team-based competition will showcase some of the globe’s top swimmers vying for a remarkable prize pool, with specific details to be revealed later, as per the league. Previous ISL competitions have seen the participation of renowned swimmers such as Caeleb Dressel from the US, Adam Peaty from Britain, and Katinka Hosszu from Hungary.
The announcement solidifies the plans outlined by ISL Commissioner Ben Allen last year, where he expressed the league’s aim to resume activities in the autumn of 2026 with a revamped commercial strategy that focuses less on a sole investor and more on sponsorships and media collaborations.
Initially launched in 2019 to offer a professional competition spanning a full season outside the Olympic schedule, the ISL last held a season in 2021. Its operations were put on hold due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the repercussions of the conflict in Ukraine on its main supporter, Ukrainian businessman Konstantin Grigorishin.
Allen disclosed in December the league’s intention to kick off a seven-match comeback season covering North America and Europe, with potential events in Asia and the Middle East. The ISL was also contemplating a condensed one-day format following its previous two-day competitions.
In a move to address outstanding prize money owed from the 2021 season, the league announced in July that it would compensate around 300 athletes. The recent announcement hints that the London event will act as a trial for this streamlined approach before a broader resurgence.
ISL Commissioner Allen expressed excitement about the All-Star Match, stating, “The world’s best athletes returning to the ISL stage is a significant moment for swimming. London, with its exceptional venue and enthusiastic sporting audience, is the ideal host city for this event.”
The London Aquatics Centre, constructed for the 2012 Olympics, has been a venue for numerous international swimming events post the Games. The ISL plans to disclose the participating swimmers, match format, ticketing information, and broadcast arrangements at a later date.