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 on Wednesday. This marks the initial step towards its planned full revival.
The event will showcase top swimmers from around the world competing for a significant prize pool, with specific details to be revealed later, according to the league. Notable athletes who have participated in previous ISL events include Caeleb Dressel from the U.S., Adam Peaty from Britain, and Katinka Hosszu from Hungary.
This announcement solidifies the vision put forth by ISL Commissioner Ben Allen last year, where he expressed the league’s intention to resume activities in the autumn of 2026 under a revised commercial strategy that relies more on sponsorships and media collaborations rather than a single investor.
Originally launched in 2019 to offer a professional competition outside the Olympic cycle, the ISL’s last season took place in 2021 before being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on its primary supporter, Ukrainian businessman Konstantin Grigorishin.
In December, Allen outlined plans for a comeback season featuring 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 a move to address outstanding dues from the 2021 season, the ISL announced in July that it would compensate approximately 300 athletes with overdue prize money.
The recent announcement of the London event signifies a trial of this streamlined approach before a broader resurgence. ISL Commissioner Allen expressed excitement about the upcoming All-Star Match, stating, “London is the ideal host city, equipped with a venue tailored for such occasions and in front of a global sporting audience eagerly anticipating the return of top athletes to the ISL stage.”
The Aquatics Centre, originally constructed for the 2012 London Olympics, has been a prominent venue for major international swimming competitions. Further details regarding the participating swimmers, match format, ticketing information, and broadcast arrangements for the London event will be disclosed by the ISL at a later date.