Supporting athletes financially, both during and after their careers, is a key priority for World Aquatics. In recent years, the International Federation has offered some of the largest prize pots in international sport, proudly awarding USD $10.70 million to performances at the highest level in 2025, including a record $6.1 million at the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025.
That support is set to continue in abundance. But World Aquatics recognises that increasing prize money is simply not enough.
“We know that athletes face real challenges once their careers come to an end – it’s a major change in their lives and often in their income too,” explained World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam at the launch of the Post-Career Compensation Fund at the World Aquatics General Congress in Singapore last year. “We have spoken with many athletes who have helped us better understand that their real financial difficulties begin once they retire. Our aim is to ease that transition wherever we can, and financial support is one of the most important routes through which we can help”, said President Al Musallam.
The Post-Career Compensation Fund
In a landmark move, World Aquatics launched the Post-Career Compensation Fund, beginning with an initial investment of USD $10 million. The fund is the first of its kind from an International Federation and provides a lump sum payment to athletes upon retirement, based on sustained participation in World Aquatics events throughout their career and contributions tied to prize earnings.
Each sport will have different qualification criteria, with athletes considered eligible once they have competed in 80% of events organised by World Aquatics over a four-year period. The more athletes participate in World Aquatics events, the more contribution World Aquatics will make to those athletes to assist with their post-career transition.
Further details can be found here.
More information about the World Aquatics Post-Career Compensation Fund and other support available to athletes will be provided at all World Aquatics Events and through the World Aquatics Athletes’ Committee.
Prize money in 2026
Prize money is structured to reflect the nature of the competition format in each sport, with the clear principle that athletes stand to earn meaningful sums throughout the season at World Aquatics World Cup events and World Aquatics Championships.
At the 2026 Swimming World Cup there is a prize pool of USD $1.2 million on offer across the Silk Road Tour, with an additional $10,000 bonus for World Record-setters and Crown winners.
Last season alone, athletes broke 12 World Records, equalled one and claimed 23 Crowns, resulting in a total payout of USD $1.57 million.
Across the other five aquatic sports, significant prize funds are also available throughout the 2026 season. Water Polo's total prize fund of USD $695,000 is a record for the competition, while Diving's Super Final in Xi'an saw a total pool of $956,000. Open Water Swimming, Artistic Swimming and High Diving all offer structured prize money at every stop of their respective World Cup circuits.
Full prize money details for each sport can be found below: