A MAJOR national swimming event, which combines the 2026 China Swimming Open and National Spring Swimming Championships, will be held in Shenzhen in March. The four-day event will feature a star-studded lineup that includes international high-profile swimming superstars such as Thomas Ceccon of Italy, Regan Smith of the U.S., and Cameron McEvoy of Australia.

The event will be held at the Shenzhen Universiade Center in Longgang District from March 19 to 22, following the successful National Swimming Championships and 15th National Games last year.

The event will feature China’s top and rising swimmers, many of whom burst onto the scene at last year’s National Games. A total of 17 Olympic and world championship medalists have confirmed to participate. Organizers note that this lineup will unite two generations of elite athletes on the same starting blocks, promising thrilling head-to-head races for spectators and invaluable competitive experience for home contenders.

As a newly launched international meet, the China Swimming Open will offer what organizers describe as the largest prize purse in the history of domestic swimming competitions, though the exact figure has not been revealed. The enhanced incentives and global profile are designed to attract world-class talent and strengthen international swimming exchanges.

The National Spring Swimming Championships serves to evaluate winter training outcomes and prepare Chinese athletes for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympic cycle.

Local authorities emphasized that hosting the event will not only demonstrate Shenzhen’s capability to stage top-level international sports competitions but also promote public participation in swimming and further weave sports into the fabric of city life. The championships are jointly supported by the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports, the Longgang District Government, and the Shenzhen Professional Sports Management Center.

(Wei Jie)