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. This event will bring together top swimmers from around the world to compete for a substantial prize purse, with specific details to be revealed later. Notable swimmers like Caeleb Dressel from the U.S., Adam Peaty from Britain, and Katinka Hosszu from Hungary have been featured in previous ISL events.
The decision to host this match aligns with the plans discussed by ISL Commissioner Ben Allen last year, where he expressed the league’s intention to relaunch in 2026 with a revised business model focusing more on sponsorships and media partnerships rather than a sole investor. Originally launched in 2019 to offer a professional swimming competition outside the Olympic cycle, the ISL last held a season in 2021 before facing disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges related to its main supporter, Konstantin Grigorishin, amidst the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
According to Allen, the upcoming season was envisioned to include seven matches across North America and Europe, potentially expanding to Asia and the Middle East. The league is contemplating a one-day format for competitions after previously spanning two days. In a move to address outstanding payments from the 2021 season, the ISL announced in July that approximately 300 athletes would receive their overdue prize money.
The London event is positioned as a trial run for this streamlined approach before a broader relaunch. Allen emphasized the significance of this All-Star Match, stating that it marks the return of top athletes to the ISL platform. The Aquatics Centre, a distinguished venue from the 2012 London Olympics, was chosen as the ideal location for this event due to its reputation for hosting major swimming competitions.
Further details regarding the participating swimmers, match format, ticketing, and broadcast arrangements for the London event will be disclosed by the ISL at a later time.
