The World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) – Budapest 2024 will take place from 10-15 December 2024 at the Duna Arena in the Hungarian capital city, following a joint decision by World Aquatics and the Budapest 2024 Organising Committee.
World Aquatics granted hosting rights for the 17th edition of the World Swimming Championships (25m) to Budapest in 2017. The decision was made during the General Congress coinciding with the World Aquatics Championships - Budapest 2017.
The Hungarian capital has a rich history of hosting premier World Aquatics events, having successfully organized the 2017 and 2022 editions of the World Aquatics Championships and numerous World Cup events. However, the forthcoming World Swimming Championships will mark Hungary's first time as host of the world championships in a 25m pool.
The competition programme is slated to span six days, with morning sessions dedicated to heats and evening sessions featuring semi-finals and finals, all to be held at the revered Duna Arena.
World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam expressed confidence in Budapest as the ideal host for the culminating championship event in the 2024 swimming calendar. He highlighted the event's position following the World Aquatics Championships - Doha 2024, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2024 season.
“At World Aquatics, we are thrilled to reveal the competition dates for next year’s World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m). Budapest has always delivered top-tier aquatics events, and it is only fitting that we return next December to conclude what promises to be an extraordinary year in swimming.
“We are extremely fortunate to have Budapest, sharing our passion for aquatics with an audience that fills Duna Arena to witness our stars in action. Athletes, teams and fans have already expressed their enthusiasm for today’s announcement.”
Dr. Sandor Wladar, President of the Hungarian Swimming Federation President, said the event hosting expertise Budapest has gained by holding previous international events has them primed to hold another memorable championship.
“We are already excited to see another World Aquatics showcase coming to Budapest in one year. We have one of the most experienced organising team who have run several big championships in recent years, still, we are determined as ever to devote our attention to all details, even the tiniest ones, to create another memorable spectacle. We are committed to fulfil the expectations of all stakeholders, first of all, those of the athletes, and also the fans, coaches, officials and the media.
"All in all, we wish to offer something that everyone could got used to at the previous World Aquatics Championships, World Cups and other major meets, but this time with some twists and magic added to the mix," Wladar added. "Our magnificent Duna Arena and its superfast pool will be ready to witness more memorable moments, record-breaking swims and thrilling races, in front of stands filled with fans who will create an electrifying atmosphere once again."
Standout Hungarian swimmer Hubert Kos also responded favourably to the news by recalling the impact that Budapest hosting the 2017 and 2022 World Aquatics Championships has had on his career.
“Racing in front of thousands of fans in the Duna Arena in Budapest is one the most treasured memories in my career thus far. However, at the 2022 World Championships I was still unable to offer anything special for the Hungarian fans. A year later this changed in Japan as I was able to attain a childhood dream of becoming a world champion," said Kos, who won the 200m backstroke in Fukuoka. "This is why I’m hoping to do a lot better next December, during the short course World Championships, which are once again in my favourite pool, the Duna Arena.
"Back in 2017 as a young kid, still nothing but a teammate to the great generation of Hungarian champions, I saw what the roars of thousands in the crowd meant to them," added Kos. "That 2017 World Championships is by far the greatest swimming event that has ever taken place, and as I watched my idols swim, I said to myself that I would become like them one day. This is why I want to live through that experience, and all the joyful moments that the likes of Laszlo Cseh and the others experienced. Of course, my main focus is on the Olympics right now, but as I’m racing a lot in the NCAA Collegiate program in Arizona State, I cant help but feel like I will also be well prepared for the Budapest Worlds next December.”
During the previous World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) hosted in Melbourne, Australia, in December 2022, athletes established 14 World Records, 6 World Junior Records, and 72 Continental Records in the 25m pool.