Innovative new format for World Aquatics Diving World Cup – Super Final to deliver more excitement and thrills

This year’s World Aquatics Diving World Cup – Super Final will be held from 2-4 May in Beijing (CHN). An action-packed two-hour format will feature a head-to-head stage, semi-final and final, enhancing broadcast potential and providing maximum thrills for spectators.

The top 12 athletes from the first two stops of the World Aquatics Diving World Cup will be seeded according to their rankings from Stop 1 in Guadalajara (MEX) from 3-6 April and Stop 2 in Windsor (CAN) from 10-13 April.

In the head-to-head stage, divers will be paired based on their seeding. Each will choose three dives to perform and the lowest scorer in each pairing will be eliminated, with six athletes advancing to the semi-final.

Points from the head-to-head will carry over to the semi-final stage, featuring two groups of three divers competing against each other. Athletes will complete the remaining dives from their full list, with the lowest scorer in each group eliminated to leave four who progress to the final.

Results from the first two stages will be wiped for the final, and each diver will perform their full list to determine the World Aquatics Diving World Cup – Super Final medallists.

This exciting new format places emphasis on strategy, as athletes must choose their first three dives according to their strengths and their opponents’ weaknesses.

Dive changes for the final must be requested after completing the semi-final and no later than five minutes before the start of the final, and all dives must be completed to progress even if an opponent withdraws.

A dive-off will be used to determine who progresses in the event of a tie at the head-to-head or semi-final stage, and the diver with the highest score from each group who does not qualify will serve as a reserve should a qualified diver not be able to compete in the next stage.

The innovative changes have been introduced following consultation with a range of stakeholders, including a focus group featuring athlete representation.

World Aquatics President Captain Husain Al-Musallam said: “At World Aquatics, we are committed to delivering the highest quality events for our athletes and also for our fans.

“I would like to congratulate the World Aquatics Diving Technical Committee, Chaired by Bashar Al-Saffar, for its leadership on seeking continued improvement and innovation, and thank everyone who has provided their input on this exciting new chapter for diving.”

World Aquatics Diving Technical Committee Chair Bashar Al-Saffar commented: “The changes to the World Aquatics Diving World Cup – Super Final format will add to the growing excitement around the sport as we enter a new season.

“I am grateful to all the athletes and members of the World Aquatics family who have collaborated on this significant milestone for the sport.”

Caeli McKay (CAN), a World Aquatics Championships medallist in 2023 and winner of three World Aquatics Diving World Cup medals in 2024, was among the members of the focus group. She said: “These changes are super exciting for divers from around the world, and will make the competition both fairer and more dramatic.

“I hope they will help generate an even better atmosphere in the venue and even more viewers from around the world.

“I cannot wait for the season to start, and hope to be competing in the new-look World Aquatics Diving World Cup – Super Final later in the year!”

The format for synchronised and mixed team events is unchanged.

Prize money at the World Aquatics Diving World Cup – Super Final will be awarded to the top 12 athletes in individual events and top eight in synchronised and mixed team events, with a top prize of USD 25,000.

For further information on the new format for the World Aquatics Diving World Cup – Super Final, click here.