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 marks the first step towards the league’s full relaunch.
Featuring some of the top swimmers globally, the team-based competition will offer a significant prize purse, with specific details to be revealed later, according to the league. Previous ISL events have showcased prominent athletes such as Caeleb Dressel from the United States, Adam Peaty from Britain, and Katinka Hosszu from Hungary.
The announcement solidifies the plans laid out by ISL Commissioner Ben Allen a year ago, where he expressed the league’s intention to resume activities in the autumn of 2026 under a revamped commercial strategy that relies less on a single investor and more on partnerships with sponsors and media.
Initially introduced in 2019 to provide a professional competition outside the Olympic cycle, the ISL last held a season in 2021 before pausing operations due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis affecting its primary supporter, Ukrainian businessman Konstantin Grigorishin.
In December, Allen mentioned a proposed seven-match comeback season spanning North America and Europe, with potential events in Asia and the Middle East. The league had also considered transitioning to a one-day competition format after previously conducting events over two days.
Earlier in July, the ISL committed to settling outstanding prize money owed to approximately 300 athletes from the 2021 season. The latest announcement on Wednesday indicates that the London event will serve as a trial for this streamlined approach before a broader relaunch.
Describing the All-Star Match as a highly anticipated moment for the swimming community, Allen stated, “The world’s best athletes will return to the ISL stage during this event in London, a fitting host city with a venue designed for such occasions and in front of a renowned sporting audience.”
The Aquatics Centre, constructed for the 2012 London Olympics, has been a venue for significant international swimming competitions. The ISL will release further details on participating swimmers, match format, ticketing information, and broadcast arrangements in the upcoming announcements.
