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Competition

Competitions will take place in venues carefully selected to provide the best possible conditions for athletes and spectators alike. Each site reflects the host country’s commitment to university sport, offering high-quality facilities in a setting designed for international events.

Competition format

FISU World University Championships: Finswimming Discipline

Finswimming is a dynamic and unique sport recognized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The competitions are organized in accordance with the most recent Technical Regulations of the World Underwater Federation (CMAS).

Competition Categories and Events

The FISU World University Championship programme in Finswimming features individual events for both Men and Women, as well as Mixed Relay events.

Individual Disciplines:

  • Surface Events (with snorkel): 50m Apnoea, 100m Surface, 200m Surface, 400m Surface, 800m Surface.
  • Bi-Fins Events (with bifins and snorkel): 50m Bi-Fins, 100m Bi-Fins, 200m Bi-Fins, 400m Bi-Fins.

Relay Disciplines (Mixed):

  • 4x50m Surface Relay Mixed
  • 4x100m Surface Relay Mixed
  • 4x50m Bi-Fins Relay Mixed
  • 4x100m Bi-Fins Relay Mixed

A mixed relay team must be composed of four athletes: two men and two women.

Delegation Composition

The size of a national delegation is governed by strict rules based on the number of athletes registered.

Athlete Quotas:

  • Each country can register a maximum of two athletes per individual event in both the men’s and women’s categories.
  • There is no limit to the number of disciplines a single athlete may enter.
  • However, the total maximum number of athletes allowed per country is 36.

Officials Quota

The number of team officials (coaches, managers, etc.) is determined by the number of athletes entered:

  • Up to 9 participants: 2 officials
  • Up to 20 participants: 4 officials
  • Over 20 participants: 5 officials

Participation Rules

  • Relay Teams: Each country can register two teams for each relay event. Athletes may be entered in several different relays.
  • FISU Teams: To encourage maximum participation, the regulations allow for the creation of FISU teams. These teams are composed of athletes from different countries who are entered randomly on-site. Importantly, these special teams are not eligible for the official final ranking but participate for experience and sportsmanship.
  • Confirmation: At the General Technical Meeting, the Head of Delegation or their representative must confirm and sign the official list of competitors accredited by the FISU International Control Committee (CIC).

Venues

Competition Venue

Sharm El Sheikh Youth City – Olympic Pool Complex

The primary competition venue is the state-of-the-art 50-meter Olympic pool within the Sharm El Sheikh Youth City complex. This FISU and CMAS-homologated facility is the most advanced of its kind in the region, featuring a 10-lane course, depth-compliant for finswimming, and equipped with an OMEGA timing system and scoreboard. With a spectator capacity of 1,000, it offers a world-class stage for athletes and an excellent viewing experience for fans. The venue is designed to be fully accessible.

Location: Sharm El Sheikh Youth City, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Size: 50m x 25m (10 lanes).
Capacity: 1,000 spectators.
External Link: Sharm El Sheikh Youth City

Training Venue

Sharm El Sheikh Youth City – Training Pool Annex

Located adjacent to the main competition pool, the Training Pool Annex provides a dedicated 25-meter pool for athlete warm-up and preparation. This facility ensures teams have ample space and time for training sessions before and during the competition. It features the same high standard of water quality and is easily accessible from the athlete accommodation zones within the Youth City complex.

Location: Sharm El Sheikh Youth City, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (adjacent to the main pool).
Size: 25m x 12.5m (6 lanes).
Capacity: Training facility (no spectator seating).
External Link: Sharm El Sheikh Youth City

Competition schedule

Day 0 – Thursday, April 09, 2026

  • All Day: Delegation Arrivals & Accreditation
  • Afternoon: Official Training Sessions
  • Evening (e.g., 18:00): General Technical Meeting (GTM) & Opening Ceremony
    (Recommended to hold the ceremony this evening to avoid disrupting competition flow on Day 1).

Day 1 – Friday, April 10, 2026: COMPETITION

  • Morning Session (09:00 – 12:00): HEATS
    • 08:00 – 09:00: Pool open for General Warm-up
    • Women’s 50m Apnoea (AP) – Heats
    • Men’s 100m Surface (SF) – Heats
    • Women’s 50m Bi-Fins (BF) – Heats
    • Men’s 100m Bi-Fins (BF) – Heats
    • Women’s 200m Surface (SF) – Heats
    • Men’s 400m Surface (SF) – Heats
    • Women’s 200m Bi-Fins (BF) – Heats
    • Men’s 400m Bi-Fins (BF) – Heats
    • Women’s 800m Surface (SF) – Slow Heats (if needed)
  • Afternoon Session (16:00 – 19:00): FINALS & CEREMONIES
    • 15:00 – 16:00: Pool open for Warm-up
    • Final Women’s 50m Apnoea (AP)
    • Final Men’s 100m Surface (SF)
    • Final Women’s 50m Bi-Fins (BF)
    • Final Men’s 100m Bi-Fins (BF)
    • Final Women’s 200m Surface (SF)
    • Final Men’s 400m Surface (SF)
    • Final Women’s 200m Bi-Fins (BF)
    • Final Men’s 400m Bi-Fins (BF)
    • Final 4x100m SF Mixed Relay
    • Victory Ceremonies for all finals of the day

Day 2 – Saturday, April 11, 2026: COMPETITION & CLOSING

  • Morning Session (09:00 – 12:00): HEATS
    • 08:00 – 09:00: Pool open for General Warm-up
    • Men’s 50m Apnoea (AP) – Heats
    • Women’s 100m Surface (SF) – Heats
    • Men’s 50m Bi-Fins (BF) – Heats
    • Women’s 100m Bi-Fins (BF) – Heats
    • Men’s 200m Surface (SF) – Heats
    • Women’s 400m Surface (SF) – Heats
    • Men’s 200m Bi-Fins (BF) – Heats
    • Women’s 400m Bi-Fins (BF) – Heats
    • Men’s 800m Surface (SF) – Slow Heats (if needed)
  • Afternoon Session (16:00 – 19:00): FINALS & CLOSING CEREMONY
    • 15:00 – 16:00: Pool open for Warm-up
    • Final Men’s 50m Apnoea (AP)
    • Final Women’s 100m Surface (SF)
    • Final Men’s 50m Bi-Fins (BF)
    • Final Women’s 100m Bi-Fins (BF)
    • Final Men’s 200m Surface (SF)
    • Final Women’s 400m Surface (SF)
    • Final Men’s 200m Bi-Fins (BF)
    • Final Women’s 400m Bi-Fins (BF)
    • Final 4x50m BF Mixed Relay
    • Final 4x50m SF Mixed Relay
    • Victory Ceremonies for all finals of the day
    • Closing Ceremony

Day 3 – Sunday, April 12, 2026

  • All Day: Delegation Departures

Technical equipment

Equipment must be CMAS approved.
Equipment needed is listed in the Finswimming Rules CMAS.

Trainings

Schedule & Structure:

  • Training times will be scheduled throughout the day and published well in advance via the official Event Handbook and communication channels.
  • The schedule will be created by the FISU Technical Committee Chair (TCC) in cooperation with the Organizing Committee’s Competition Manager to ensure a fair distribution of prime training slots for all participating countries.
  • Sessions will be structured to allow for both general warm-up/cool-down and specific race pace work.