What are the World Swimming Championships (25 m)?
The World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25 m) — commonly the "short-course worlds" — are the world championships of short-course swimming, with every event raced in a 25-meter pool. They decide the official world short-course titles and are the premier stage for short-course world records.[1] [2]
Who organizes them?
The championships are organized by World Aquatics with the host national federation. World short-course records set at the event are ratified by the federation, which also pays the prize money — a $2 million fund was announced for the 2024 edition in Budapest.[2] [3]
When and where are they held?
The championships are held every two years, in even-numbered years, over five to six days in December — the traditional close of the short-course season. Hosting rotates worldwide.[1] [4]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 m | China — upcoming, December |
| 2024 | 25 m | Budapest (HUN) |
| 2022 | 25 m | Melbourne (AUS) |
| 2021 | 25 m | Abu Dhabi (UAE) — postponed 2020 edition |
| 2018 | 25 m | Hangzhou (CHN) |
| 2016 | 25 m | Windsor (CAN) |
| 2014 | 25 m | Doha (QAT) |
| 2012 | 25 m | Istanbul (TUR) |
| 2010 | 25 m | Dubai (UAE) |
| 2008 | 25 m | Manchester (GBR) |
The 2020 edition (Abu Dhabi) was postponed to December 2021 by the COVID-19 pandemic. Next: China, December 2026.[4] [5]
Since when do they exist?
The first short-course world championships were held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in 1993, and the event has run on a two-year cycle since. It was known as the FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) until the federation's 2023 renaming.[1]
How do swimmers qualify?
Entry runs through the national federations: swimmers compete as members of their national team, entered by their World Aquatics member federation against published qualifying standards for each event, with a limit of two swimmers per federation per individual event. Federations without qualified athletes may use universality places, and relay teams are entered by federation.[6] National federations typically select their teams at short-course national championships or trials.[6]
Why do they matter?
They are the only world-championship title in the short-course format, and the fast 25-meter racing makes them the most prolific world-record event in swimming — dozens of world and continental records have fallen at recent editions.[2] With a seven-figure prize fund and fields led by Olympic champions, a short-course world title is an established marker of elite international standing.[3]
Who competes?
National teams from across World Aquatics' member federations — recent editions have drawn roughly a thousand swimmers from over 180 federations, including reigning Olympic and long-course world champions chasing short-course titles and records.[2] [4]
References
- World Aquatics — Swimming Championships (25 m) 2024, Budapest. Accessed August 2026.
- World Aquatics — 2024 World Championship (25 m) Sports Results Report. Accessed August 2026.
- Swimming World — $2 Million Prize Money Fund for World Short Course Championships. Accessed August 2026.
- World Aquatics — 16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) 2022, Melbourne. Accessed August 2026.
- World Aquatics — Swimming Championships (25 m) 2026, China. Accessed August 2026.
- World Aquatics — Competition Regulations. Accessed August 2026.