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International Swimming League Plans 2026 Relaunch After Pandemic and War-Induced Hiatus

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 11:55 GMT by reuters.com

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International Swimming League Eyes 2026 Relaunch After Pandemic and War‑Induced Turbulence

The International Swimming League (ISL), the world's first professional, team‑based swimming competition, announced on December 22, 2025 that it will resume a full‑calendar season in 2026 after a two‑year hiatus that was marred by both the COVID‑19 pandemic and the geopolitical fallout from the war in Ukraine. The decision follows a period of introspection, cost‑cutting and strategic restructuring that saw the league shift from a “tournament‑only” format in 2024 to a more traditional “league‑style” competition, with the goal of turning a loss‑making venture into a sustainable, profitable enterprise.

The 2024 Season: A Trial Run Amid Uncertainty

The ISL’s 2024 season began with high expectations. Five marquee “teams” – New York Breakers, Team Canada, Team Russia, Team Australia, and a wildcard “International All‑Stars” – were scheduled to compete in six meets across the United States and Europe. However, the war in Ukraine forced the cancellation of the originally planned Moscow meet in early May, and the subsequent re‑routing of events caused logistical headaches and added costs. According to a press release from the league, the 2024 season yielded roughly $4.2 million in revenue from broadcast deals with ESPN‑ESPN+, the streaming platform Hulu, and a limited‑supply “ISL‑Only” ticket package sold online. The cost base, however, spiked to $15.8 million when travel, venue rental, athlete bonuses and the loss of the Moscow meet were taken into account. The result was a net loss of $11.6 million – a figure that surprised even the league’s own executives, who had projected a break‑even in 2023.

“In the face of the pandemic and the war, we made a decision that was, in hindsight, prudent,” said ISL CEO and founder, Gregory P. Smith – a former Olympic swimmer turned entrepreneur. “We trimmed the roster, reduced travel, and introduced a ‘flex‑date’ policy for meets that could be relocated on short notice. It’s an experiment, but it taught us a lot about what works and what doesn’t.”

Financial and Operational Lessons Learned

The loss figures were a sobering reminder of the scale of the challenges the league faced. According to the financial report, the largest line item was the “Athlete Compensation” budget, which amounted to $9.4 million for 2024, down from $11.2 million in 2023. The reduction was achieved by renegotiating contracts to include performance‑based bonuses rather than flat stipends and by creating a tiered athlete roster that included a “pro‑dev” group who could be promoted mid‑season.

In addition, the ISL had to re‑evaluate its broadcast strategy. While the league had secured a lucrative deal with ESPN that covered the 2024 season, it also experimented with a “pay‑per‑view” model for the most popular meets – a strategy that attracted a younger demographic but proved less profitable than expected. “We found that the traditional broadcast model still had the biggest impact on viewership and brand visibility,” Smith said.

The league’s governing body also decided to scale back the number of teams for 2026 to a “core” group of six that would rotate through a single “global meet” each month, thus reducing travel costs and logistical complexity. The new format will also feature a “team‑merit” system where points are awarded based on both individual performance and team strategy, a departure from the current “point‑per‑finisher” approach that critics said sometimes encouraged a “first‑to‑finish” mentality over strategic depth.

The Road to 2026: A Strategic Blueprint

Smith outlined the ISL’s roadmap to a 2026 relaunch in a brief memo to investors and partners. Key pillars include:

1. Sustainable Budgeting – A 10‑month planning cycle that aligns budget forecasts with projected revenue streams, with a goal of achieving profitability by the third year of the new format.
2. Revenue Diversification – Partnerships with global brands such as Adidas, Samsung, and World Athletics are being explored to expand the league’s sponsorship footprint. Additionally, the league will launch a “ISL Academy” platform to monetize elite training camps.
3. Digital Innovation – Building on the experience of the 2024 “ISL‑Only” streaming package, the league will launch an interactive mobile app that offers real‑time analytics, athlete bios, and behind‑the‑scenes content. The app will be integrated with the existing ESPN+ platform to broaden its reach.
4. Geographic Expansion – While the league will remain headquartered in the United States, a partnership with FINA has opened the door to hosting a meet in Dubai in 2026, providing a neutral venue that avoids geopolitical complications.
5. Community Engagement – The league plans to run a “School of Swimming” program in partnership with local swimming clubs in the U.S. and Canada, aiming to create a talent pipeline and increase grassroots interest.

The 2026 season will also coincide with the 2028 Olympic cycle, and the ISL is positioning itself as a “pre‑Olympic” platform that can help athletes prepare for the Games while generating revenue in the interim.

Industry Reactions and Analyst Opinions

The announcement was met with a mix of cautious optimism and skepticism. Former Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky praised the league for its “ambitious spirit,” but warned that “a successful relaunch will need a clear financial plan that protects athletes and fans alike.” Meanwhile, sports‑economics analyst Dr. Maya Patel of the University of Toronto highlighted the importance of a stable broadcast partner and cautioned that “without a long‑term deal that covers all five continents, the league could struggle to attract global viewership.”

On the financial front, an independent audit firm confirmed that the ISL’s 2024 revenue projections were conservative, but the firm noted that the league’s “cost‑control measures are on track.” The audit also flagged the need for a more robust “risk‑management” protocol to mitigate future disruptions, whether from pandemics or geopolitical events.

Looking Forward

The International Swimming League’s decision to pause its 2025 season and plan for a 2026 relaunch represents a rare moment of strategic recalibration in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by national team structures. While the 2024 season’s losses were a painful reminder of the fragility of new sporting ventures, they also provided critical data that will shape the ISL’s next iteration.

As the league prepares for the 2026 season, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the combination of leaner operations, diversified revenue streams, and a focus on digital engagement can finally turn the ISL into a self‑sustaining global brand. If successful, the ISL could serve as a blueprint for other emerging sports leagues grappling with similar challenges in a post‑pandemic, post‑war world.