Winter Swimming World Championship 2026
Oulu, Finland
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Join one of the biggest events in winter swimming, the Winter Swimming World Championship, from March 2 to 8, 2026.
Key information
Find all of the necessary event information and links in one place.
Winter Swimming World Championship
A bi-annual event, held every 2 years, the Winter Swimming World Championship 2026 will be held in Oulu, Finland, from March 2 to 8, 2026.
For the first time in 12 years, the Championship is coming back to Finland. And it’s a double comeback – 20 years ago, when the International Winter Swimming Association was founded, the Championship was held in Oulu, Finland.
With more than 10 different distances and disciplines, and 2000 winter swimmers from around the world, Oulu returns to leave a mark in winter swimming history.
Swim the cold waters of Finland
Event program
Find the detailed Winter Swimming World Championship event program below.
Monday, Mar 2, 2026
Winter swimmer arrival
Information center opening
Winter swimmer accreditation
Opening ceremony
Welcome party
Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026
Winter swimmer accreditation
25 metre ice-butterfly
100 metre breaststroke
Awards ceremony
200 metre freestyle
Awards ceremony
Winter swimming seminar
Wednesday, Mar 4, 2026
Winter swimmer accreditation
50 metre freestyle
200 metre breaststroke (registration closed)
Awards ceremony
450 metre endurance (registration closed)
Awards ceremony
Wednesday’s Get Together party
Thursday, Mar 5, 2026
Winter swimmer accreditation
25 metre freestyle
Awards ceremony
50 metre breaststroke
50 metre breaststroke super-finals
Awards ceremony
Thursday’s Get Together party
Friday, Mar 6, 2026
Winter swimmer accreditation
Young seals and Seals
25 metre breaststroke
Awards ceremony
100 metre freestyle
Awards ceremony
World Record swim
Saturday, Mar 7, 2026
Winter swimmer accreditation
Young seals and Seals
50 metre freestyle super-finals
4×25 metre breaststroke relay
4×25 metre freestyle relay
Show performance
Awards ceremony
Closing ceremony and farewell party
Sunday, Mar 8, 2026
Winter swimmer departure
P.S. and the International Women’s Day
Make history and become a world record holder
Not only Oulu returns for one of the biggest events in winter swimming, we’re here to make history.
Join us and be part of the biggest winter swimming relay record attempt.
The current record holder is Tallinn, Estonia, and we aim to beat them, are you in?
Check out Colin Hill’s video from 2024
How to get to and around Oulu?
Planning how to get to Oulu? We’ve got it all – planes, trains, buses and more. Visit Oulu’s page for travel tips and start planning your trip (including ways to get around the city).
We’ve also prepared a map that will help you discover all of Oulu’s beauty.
Discover Oulu, the European Capital of Culture 2026
Oulu – home for people who choose their own path and do things differently.
The ones who created the modern mobile technology and are forerunners in 6G. The ones who made up the peculiar Air Guitar World Championship to promote the message of world peace and are now nominated as European Capital of Culture 2026.
In Oulu, life is an adventure, filled with rich tones of creativity and the magic of pure northern nature.
And now the Winter Swimming World Championship will return to it Oulu after 20 years. We welcome everyone like an old friend, so please come and enjoy the laid-back, creative atmosphere of our beautiful seaside city.
View our event map
We’ve scouted the best options for your stay in Oulu. View our event map (with info centre and pool location) and find all possible stays neatly put into one place.
Looking for hotels?
We’ve prepared a list of hotels near the main event location. Find promo codes and save on your stay in Oulu for the championship.
P.S. Rooms go fast, we advice to plan timely and reserve a deal while you still can.
Shop official merchandise
Discover exclusive WSWC 2026 merchandise — from apparel to accessories. Limited quantities available and pickup during the event only.
Don’t miss your chance to grab your favorites.
Partners
Winter swimming, Finland and you
FAQ
Contacts and socials
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us using our official email, info@wswc2026.fi or using one of our social media’s.