Idman.biz
Baku will be the starting point of the 2026 Swimming World Cup tour, marking the first time in Azerbaijani history that a "World Aquatics" (International Federation of Aquatic Sports) event will be hosted.
Idman.Biz reports that Torin Koos, a representative of "World Aquatics", announced this.
According to him, after the Swimming World Cup in North America in 2025, which saw record numbers, the tour is once again heading east to Asia and will serve as a major preparatory stage for the 18th edition of the Swimming Championships (25 m) to be held in Beijing, the capital of China:
"Swimmers will compete for personal bests, world records, 'triple crown' bonuses and titles intended for the best male and female swimmers of the 2026 World Cup.
The tour will start in Baku. The history of trade and cultural exchange in Baku, which has historically been a major stop for caravans carrying silk, spices and other goods to Europe, symbolically reflects the international character of the competition."
It should be noted that Baku is not only the starting point for this tour, but is also distinguished by the fact that Azerbaijan is hosting a "World Aquatics" event for the first time. However, the Baku Aquatics Palace is not a new venue for major international tournaments. The arena has previously hosted the 2015 European Games, the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games and the 2019 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival.
President of the Azerbaijan Swimming Federation Zaur Aliyev assessed the selection of Baku as an important event for the country's sport:
"The selection of Baku as the opening stop of the Swimming World Cup 2026 is a significant milestone for aquatic sports in our country. The Aquatics Palace has hosted a number of major international events over the past decade, and hosting a "World Aquatics" competition for the first time raises our ambitions to a new level. We look forward to welcoming the world's strongest swimmers to Azerbaijan, demonstrating our commitment to the development of sports, inspiring young athletes and strengthening our partnership with "World Aquatics".
