The world’s newest water polo 4x4 format is ready to take the stage between 31st August and 6th September 2026, in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Tune in live!
Where to Watch | World Aquatics Water Polo 4x4 Open Championships 2026
The world’s newest water polo format is ready to take the stage in Dubrovnik, Croatia, from 31 August to 6 September 2026. The inaugural Water Polo 4x4 Open Championships will mark the first-ever global showcase of the exciting four-by-four format.
Water Polo 4x4 features four players per team, a smaller field of play, and a shorter shot clock, creating a fast-paced and engaging style of play. This format is adaptable to both open water and urban areas, aiming to attract new audiences and broaden the sport’s appeal.
Live & On Demand on World Aquatics YouTube channel!
- The live sessions will be added here once available.
Historic Venue for a New Global Discipline
Selecting Dubrovnik highlights both tradition and innovation. The historic city along the Adriatic Sea has hosted open-water water polo for over a century, including the Wild League, an annual amateur competition that concludes with a final in the Old Town harbour.
About Water Polo 4x4
WP 4x4 is a distinct discipline under World Aquatics, with four players per team, and is designed to offer a faster, more flexible, and globally accessible format for the sport. It complements traditional water polo while creating new opportunities for athletes, federations, and event organisers, supporting the long-term global strategic growth of water polo.
World Aquatics envisions Water Polo 4x4 energising urban pools and waterfront arenas worldwide. The dynamic four-on-four format aims to attract new generations of fans and players, inspire communities, and advance water polo. Federations, athletes, and fans can help grow Water Polo 4x4 into a global platform where innovation and tradition thrive together.