Over 2,500 athletes from 210 national federations under World Aquatics are expected to compete in 77 medal events across six aquatic disciplines. Following the triumphant return of the Swimming World Cup to Singapore in November 2024, preparations are now in full swing. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) is finalising logistics and infrastructure while actively building local excitement for the upcoming global showcase.

Local Partnerships and Community Power a World-Class Event

In late 2024, the LOC unveiled a strong lineup of national partners who have collectively pledged approximately SGD 5 million in sponsorship. The Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Trans-Eurokars Mazda, and OCBC Bank have signed on as the official hotel, automobile, and banking partners, respectively. They are joined by travel platform Trip.com and sustainability firm MVGX, the latter supporting the event’s environmental initiatives. Another eight partners – ION Orchard, CapitaLand, Singapore Airlines, Fullerton Health, Jewel Changi Airport, Kin Productions, SISTIC and Westpoint Transit – were recently unveiled, taking the total value of sponsorships for the WCH 2025 to more than S$16 million.

In late 2024, the LOC unveiled a strong lineup of national partners, with initial sponsors collectively pledging around SGD 5 million. The Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Trans-Eurokars Mazda, and OCBC Bank signed on as the official hotel, automobile, and banking partners, respectively. They were soon joined by travel platform Trip.com and sustainability firm MVGX, the latter supporting the event’s environmental initiatives. Most recently, another eight partners — ION Orchard, CapitaLand, Singapore Airlines, Fullerton Health, Jewel Changi Airport, Kin Productions, SISTIC, and Westpoint Transit — were announced, bringing the total value of sponsorships for the World Aquatics Championships 2025 to more than SGD 16 million.

“These organisations are highly regarded both locally and internationally, and we’re thrilled to have them on board to elevate the event experience for athletes and spectators,” said Mark Chay, co-chair of the Singapore 2025 organizing committee. “The Championships will be part of the celebrations for the country’s 60th year of independence, and we are heartened to have such strong backing from local corporate organisations in the lead-up to this milestone.”

In addition to strong backing from local corporate partners, Singapore 2025 is gaining momentum through a series of community roadshows aimed at bringing the excitement of aquatic sports to the wider public and fostering participation at all levels. The inaugural roadshow, which launched at ION Orchard on 9 May, featured interactive experiences where visitors could test their swimming and water polo skills — or imagine the thrill of standing atop a 27-metre-high diving platform.

Olympic champion Joseph Schooling and local musician Benjamin Kheng, a former national swimmer, headlined the festivities as team captains in a series of lively aquatic-themed challenges. They were joined by Team Singapore water polo athletes — Lee Kai Yang, Abielle Yeo, Nicole Lim, Rochelle Ong, Cayden Loh, and Dominic Chan — who interacted with the crowd and added to the vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere.

In the lead-up to the Championships, eight more malls will host roadshows offering the public a chance to experience aquatic sports first-hand. The final stop will be at Kallang Wave Mall from 11 July to 22 August, aligning with both the World Aquatics Championships and the Masters Championships. Check out the Singapore 2025 community roadshow schedule here. 

Two Major Hubs, One Global Stage

Competition will unfold across two primary venues: the World Aquatics Championships Arena (WCH Arena) and the OCBC Aquatic Centre at the Singapore Sports Hub. These urban venues will host swimming, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming, while open water swimming and high diving will be staged along the scenic coastline of Sentosa Island.

The WCH Arena, a temporary venue being constructed next to Leisure Park Kallang Mall, is taking shape in close collaboration with government authorities to ensure all safety and sustainability protocols are met. This purpose-built facility, along with the OCBC Aquatic Centre, will host the Southeast Asian (SEA) Age Group Championships from 18 to 27 June 2025 — giving the public a chance to witness live aquatic competition ahead of the global event, while also playing a crucial role in preparing the organisers for full operational readiness.

This follows the successful staging of the Swimming World Cup - Singapore 2024, which gave organisers vital experience in executing a major international aquatics event.

“The World Aquatics Championships Singapore 2025 is a much larger event, and it was important for us to get a head start on these processes with our team and our partners from the various agencies,” Chay noted. “At full strength, the Singapore 2025 team will comprise over 6,000 people, including staff and volunteers.”

To ensure smooth execution, the LOC is finalising preparations across all functional areas, underscoring Singapore’s commitment to delivering a world-class championship.

Legacy of the Championships in Singapore and Beyond

Sustainability is one of the most important parts of Singapore 2025. A flagship initiative, “Trash to Treasure,” will see 5,000 medals produced for both the World Aquatics Championships and the World Aquatics Masters Championships using recycled aluminium cans. Nearly 100,000 cans were collected by students from five preschools, eight primary schools, and three secondary schools, exemplifying how sport can foster environmental awareness and community participation from a young age.

As the first Southeast Asian host of the Championships, Singapore aims to inspire a new generation of aquatics athletes across the region. Youth athletes participating in the SEA Age Group Championships will compete in the same facilities as their elite counterparts — a rare and inspiring opportunity.

“We hope this inspires future generations of aquatics athletes and strengthens the foundation of aquatics in Southeast Asia,” said Chay.

With elite competition, sustainable innovation, and a platform for youth engagement, the World Aquatics Championships Singapore 2025 promises to deliver not just unforgettable moments in the pool but a lasting legacy for the sport and the region. The historic competition will kick off with a women’s water polo match on 11 July at 9:00 a.m.