Exciting Transformation Ahead: USA Swimming Revamps Pro Swim Series for 2026
The world of competitive swimming is on the brink of thrilling changes as USA Swimming announces a fresh and innovative structure for the Pro Swim Series, set to kick off in 2026. With the upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles just around the corner, this revamped format aims to enhance preparations for the athletes.
Among the notable changes is the introduction of semi-finals for certain events, a variation that will differ at each series stop. Additionally, one distance event during each leg will feature preliminaries and finals. Historically, all events at the Pro Swim Series—specifically those 400 meters and shorter—were conducted as preliminaries and finals, while distance events, such as the 800 and 1500 meters, were run as timed finals.
This evolution means that the Pro Swim Series events will extend over four full days of racing, incorporating preliminary heats and finals sessions. Previously, the format included a single timed final for the evening session on the first day, followed by three consecutive days of races.
Moreover, the order of events will vary slightly at each meet.
Greg Meehan, the Managing Director of the National Team, shared insights on the rationale behind these changes, stating, "In preparation for what’s ahead in LA28, it has become clear we need to create more long-course racing opportunities for our National Team." He emphasized that this new structure at the TYR Pro Swim Series meets is a significant step towards achieving that goal by incorporating preliminaries, semi-finals, and finals, or preliminaries and finals for distance events. He explained that 2026, lacking a traditional nine-day meet to conclude the long-course season, makes this adjustment particularly relevant.
In addition to restructuring the schedule, USA Swimming plans to enhance the financial incentives for competitors. Prize money for select events will see a significant increase, doubling to $3,000 from the previous $1,500. This change aims to foster a competitive spirit and reward the victors in light of the new format adjustments.
Overview of Format Changes at a Glance
Here's a detailed look at the changes set to be implemented:
- Pro Swim Series Austin (January 14-17)
• The Women’s 800 freestyle will be contested as preliminaries and finals.
• Events including the 50 butterfly, 50 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, 50 freestyle, and 200 IM will feature preliminaries, semi-finals, and finals.
• Prize money raised to $3,000 for winners of all 50s, the 200 IM, and the Women’s 800 freestyle.
Pro Swim Series Westmont (March 4-7)
• The Men’s 800 freestyle will also be held as preliminaries and finals.
• All 100-meter races will use a preliminaries, semi-finals, finals format.
• Prize money increased to $3,000 for winners of the 100s and the Men’s 800 freestyle.Pro Swim Series Sacramento (May 20-23)
• The Women’s 1500 freestyle will be run as preliminaries and finals.
• The 200 butterfly, 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, and 200 freestyle will utilize preliminaries, semi-finals, and finals.
• Prize money risen to $3,000 for winners of the 200 butterfly, 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 200 freestyle, and Women’s 1500 freestyle.Pro Swim Series Indianapolis (June 17-20)
• The Men’s 1500 freestyle will also adopt a preliminaries and finals format.
• Prize money increased to $3,000 for winners of the 400 IM, 400 freestyle, and Men’s 1500 freestyle.
USA Swimming asserts that these adjustments are in line with their commitment to enhance athlete performance as they approach the next Olympic cycle. In their words, "By replicating the physical and mental demands of championship-style racing, the TYR Pro Swim Series continues to provide a vital developmental platform for National Team and National Junior Team athletes on their journey to LA28."
In 2025, the Pro Swim Series spanned three stops in Westmont, Illinois, Sacramento, California, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, leading up to the U.S. Summer Championships scheduled for August in Irvine, California. The 2026 series will feature four stops, beginning in January in Austin, followed by Westmont in March, Sacramento in May, and concluding in mid-June in Indianapolis.
After the final Pro Swim Series stop in June, USA Swimming will conduct the 2026 National Championships from July 28 to August 1 in Irvine. This event will serve as a prelude to the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships, scheduled for two weeks later, from August 12 to 15, also in Irvine. The U.S. team for these Pan Pacs will be selected based on results from the championship meets held in 2025.
About James Sutherland
James Sutherland is a dedicated athlete who spent five years swimming competitively at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, where he specialized in the 200 freestyle, backstroke, and individual medley. He concluded his collegiate swimming experience in 2018, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics, and in 2019, he obtained his graduate degree in sports journalism. Before joining Laurentian, James was already honing his swimming skills on the competitive circuit.
