Singapore to Host 22nd World Aquatics Championships, a First for Southeast Asia

Singapore is set to make history as the first Southeast Asian nation to host the 22nd World Aquatics Championships, scheduled from July 11 to August 3, 2025. The event will bring together over 2,500 athletes from 210 national federations, competing across six aquatic disciplines: swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water swimming, and high diving.

The competitions will be held at multiple venues across the city-state. The Singapore Sports Hub will host swimming, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming events, while Sentosa Island will serve as the venue for open water swimming and high diving competitions. A temporary facility at Car Park G within the Sports Hub will feature two pools and spectator stands with an estimated capacity of 4,800 seats. This facility will also include a fan zone with interactive activities, merchandise areas, sponsor booths, and food and beverage stalls.

The championship's theme, "Water Shapes Us," reflects Singapore's deep connection to water and the unifying power of aquatic sports. The event's mascots, Ollie the otter and Dewey the dugong, represent the nation's rich aquatic biodiversity.

Originally awarded to Kazan, Russia, the championships were relocated to Singapore in February 2023 in response to geopolitical developments. This decision underscores the global sports community's stance on international affairs and highlights Singapore's readiness to host events of this magnitude.

World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam expressed confidence in Singapore's capabilities, stating, "Singapore has everything we hope to share with our athletes: World-class facilities, proven experience of hosting events of the highest quality and a comprehensive approach to aquatic sports that runs from elite level to the community."

Mark Chay, President of Singapore Aquatics and co-chair of the Singapore 2025 Organising Committee, highlighted the excitement surrounding the event: "The Singapore 2025 Organising Committee has been working tirelessly to plan an extraordinary experience that captures the dynamism and vibrancy of Singapore. With the unveiling of the competition schedule, we invite fans from the global aquatics community to book their calendars and get ready to witness the very best athletes perform here."

Hosting the World Aquatics Championships positions Singapore alongside cities like Paris, Tokyo, and Sydney, enhancing its global influence through sports diplomacy. The event emphasizes inclusion and sustainability, with outreach programs aimed at boosting youth participation and initiatives like plastic-free venues and renewable energy use. Regionally, neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia are expected to benefit from tourism spillover and increased visibility for aquatic sports.

This marks the third consecutive time an Asian nation has hosted the World Aquatics Championships, following Fukuoka, Japan, in 2023, and Doha, Qatar, in 2024. Singapore has a history of hosting top-level sports events, including World Cups in five of the six aquatic sports and the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in 2015.

As the countdown to the championships continues, Singapore is poised to deliver a world-class event that celebrates the spirit of aquatic sports and fosters international unity.