The International Swimming League (ISL) is gearing up for an exciting comeback in 2026, after a prolonged hiatus of four years. This announcement comes just shy of two weeks after the league made its first appearance on social media in three years, coinciding with the upcoming launch of the new College Swimming League (CSL) next year. Ben Allen, the Commissioner of ISL, shared this news in an exclusive interview with Reuters, expressing enthusiasm about the league's revival.
"The ISL is definitely returning," Allen confirmed, adding that they are thrilled about the potential relaunch. He outlined an "ideal scenario" where the league would restart in the fall of 2026, aligning with the CSL’s launch. If that timeline proves unfeasible, they are committed to commencing operations by 2027.
The past four years have seen the ISL absent from competitive action, with its last official update occurring in March 2022—when it had to cancel its fourth season due to setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It’s noteworthy that Konstantin Grigorishin, the league’s founder and chief backer, is a Ukrainian oligarch, which adds a layer of complexity to the league’s narrative.
Initially, the ISL kicked off in 2019 with a seven-meet inaugural season, held in various locations. The league managed to host full seasons in 2020 and 2021, all centered in Budapest, while adhering to COVID-related restrictions. The structure evolved from eight teams and seven matches in its debut to 10 teams and 13 matches in 2020, culminating in an impressive 18 matches in 2021.
In preparation for its relaunch, Allen mentioned that the ISL is exploring a new business model that emphasizes sponsorships and media partnerships, rather than depending on a single financial backer. This strategic shift is crucial as the league aims to re-establish itself just ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, allowing swimmers to remain in the spotlight during the Olympic cycle.
For its relaunch, the ISL plans to continue with its original format of seven meets, distributed across North America and Europe, with at least one event potentially hosted in Asia and possibly in the Middle East. During the hiatus, the league has sought feedback from broadcasters, fans, athletes, and coaches, aiming to enhance the viewing experience further.
One significant consideration for the future includes changing the match format from a two-day to a one-day schedule. "We will conduct several experiments and trials over the upcoming months to determine the best approach," Allen stated.
Despite facing legal challenges with World Aquatics since its inception in 2018, Allen reassured fans that the league's return is assured, independent of any court decisions. Earlier this year, World Aquatics reached a $4.6 million settlement with former ISL swimmers, but the litigation regarding the ISL’s ongoing lawsuit against World Aquatics is still pending. Both lawsuits originated in 2018.
The ISL has faced scrutiny over delayed payments to its athletes throughout its history, and reports indicate that by December 2024, at least one team had yet to receive solidarity payments from the 2021 season.
As for James Sutherland, he is a former swimmer who competed for Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, where he specialized in the 200-meter freestyle, backstroke, and individual medley. He concluded his collegiate swimming career in 2018, earning a degree in economics, followed by a graduate degree in sports journalism in 2019. Before attending Laurentian, James built a solid foundation in competitive swimming.
