World Aquatics has published the full competition schedule for the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) – Beijing 2026. It offers fans and athletes their first detailed look at how the six days of racing will unfold at the Beijing National Aquatics Centre, known as the Water Cube.
The World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) will run from 1-6 December 2026, with heats held in the morning sessions starting at 10:00 local time. Semi-finals and finals will be in the evening sessions, starting at 19:00 local time.
On the final day, 6 December, the evening session will begin earlier, at 18:00 local time, bringing the event to a close with a strong finish across the sprint and relay events.
The schedule features a full slate of men’s and women’s individual and relay events across all six days, alongside the Mixed Freestyle and Medley relay events that have become a highlight of the short course programme.
World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam said: “Beijing has a proud history of hosting world-class aquatics events, and we are excited to return to the Water Cube for the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in December.
"With the full schedule now confirmed, athletes and fans can start planning for six days of outstanding racing"
“We look forward to seeing the world's best short course swimmers compete on this iconic stage.”
The Beijing 2026 Organising Committee commented: “We are delighted that the world's premier swimming event returns to Beijing, the world's first Dual Olympic City. We warmly welcome the world's best swimmers to compete in the National Aquatics Center, the Water Cube, for the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m).”
“Preparations are well underway, and we look forward to delivering a spectacular, remarkable and unforgettable Championships for athletes, fans and spectators around the world.”
The Beijing National Aquatics Centre previously hosted swimming events at the Olympic Games Beijing 2008, and later ice events during the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. This makes it one of the few venues in the world to have staged both summer and winter Olympic competition.
The full session-by-session schedule, including events and session structure across all six days, is available now on the World Aquatics website.
Please note that the competition schedule is subject to change.