Cheer for Team S’pore on home ground, chase competition dreams and enjoy top-notch action at World Aquatics Championships

Ask Team Singapore athletes like Loh Zhi Zhi and Abielle Yeo of the men’s and women’s national water polo teams respectively, and they will likely admit that the energy of a home crowd can give them an extra boost when they dive into the water. And soon, local sports fans will have their chance to create that electric atmosphere to cheer Team Singapore on as athletes take on the best in the trade at the World Aquatics Championships held on home soil from July 11 to August 3.

But the championships is not just for spectators – it is an opportunity for sports enthusiasts to participate in community challenges, enjoy interactive exhibitions and be part of sporting history as Singapore hosts this prestigious event for the first time.

Ranked second only to the Olympics in prestige for water sports, the event will see over 2,500 athletes from more than 190 countries compete in six aquatic disciplines – swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving – across various venues in Singapore.

This marks the first time the event is being held in South-east Asia, cementing Singapore’s position as a global sports hub alongside other world-class events like Formula 1 and the HSBC Women’s World Championship.

As the world’s top aquatic athletes vie for glory, the championships will also provide Singaporeans of all ages a rare opportunity to participate in high-performance sports.

The World Aquatics Masters Championships, running parallel to the main event from July 26 to Aug 22, invites recreational swimmers, former athletes and fitness enthusiasts, aged 25 to 80 and above to compete in their respective age categories on the same prestigious stages as the world champions. Some 6,000 Masters competitors are expected to try their hand at elite competition.

Mr Alan Goh, co-chairperson of the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025 organising committee emphasises the event’s inclusive nature. “Whether you are joining as a spectator or participating in our community programmes, the championships will have something for you,” he says.

He notes that this major sporting event also coincides with Singapore’s SG60 festivities, creating a dual opportunity to commemorate national achievements alongside exhilarating wins in the pool.

“We hope that the spirit and buzz of these championships will leave us a strong legacy that continues to elevate aquatics in Singapore and our region for years to come.”

Everyone can make a splash

For those who prefer a less competitive approach, the organisers will also host the SG60 Swim Challenge from April to June, welcoming swimmers of all abilities to join this nationwide initiative.

Participants can form a team of four to 10 and complete 60 laps collectively or swim up to six laps daily as individuals within the event period. All completed laps help accumulate points, which could give you a chance to redeem prizes such as staycation packages and championship merchandise.

The challenge also has a philanthropic aspect. Participants are encouraged to make a meaningful impact to the community by donating to SportCares through the GameOn SG60 web application. Donations to SportCares will help make sport more accessible to vulnerable members of society.

Mark Chay, former national swimmer and the organising committee’s co-chairperson, explains that the sporting event is not just about elite competition, but also bringing the joy of aquatics to all Singaporeans.

“Our initiatives and community activations unite people of all age groups and create an all-encompassing celebration of aquatic sports,” he says. “By making the championships accessible to everyone – from seasoned athletes to casual swimmers – we are fostering a sense of community and inspiring a new generation of aquatics enthusiasts.”

Multiple platforms will allow aquatics fans and newcomers to learn more about the competition, meet TeamSG athletes and leave their mark on history. The Trash to Treasure school initiative will collect aluminium cans from schools, which will be made into competition medals.

Says Mr Goh: “Through the Trash to Treasure initiative, activations in schools through our school roadshows, and our community roadshows in shopping malls, we want to involve as many people as we can to be part of our activities and celebrations.”

From May to August, interactive exhibitions will tour major shopping centres across the island, offering opportunities to engage with the aquatics community and learn about the various disciplines featured in the championships.

World-class competition on home ground

Even for those content with spectating, there will be plenty to look forward to across the swimming, artistic swimming, water polo, diving and open water swimming events in the World Aquatics Championships and World Aquatics Masters Championships.

Team Singapore athletes will be competing on home soil, giving local fans a chance to cheer for their compatriots.

One such athlete is Abielle Yeo, the captain of the national women’s water polo team, who views the championships as a milestone for Singapore sports.

“It’s very exciting that we’re hosting such a large-scale event. It’s a good opportunity to showcase how far we’ve come as a sporting nation,” says the 26-year-old. “As athletes, it’s a rare opportunity to benchmark ourselves against the aquatic giants from outside Asia and also to learn from them.”

Her teammate from the men’s water polo team, Loh Zhi Zhi, shares similar sentiments. “This is most definitely a special opportunity for our country; not just for the athletes who will be getting to compete on the world stage, but for our community to witness this level of competition in person,” he says. “Hopefully, this is also a moment of inspiration for many of our young, budding talents to aim higher and a key milestone they can look back upon further in their careers.”

For these athletes, the home advantage is especially meaningful for national team members.

“Competing at home is indescribably special. To see friends and family in the stands and getting to hear their cheers above the crowd – there is nothing quite like it,” Loh adds. “I am really excited to be sharing this moment with my family, especially my two young boys.”

“We’re glad that our friends and family at home will have the opportunity to witness such an event in our athletic careers,” Yeo adds. “It’s always great to compete with the support from the home crowd.”

Beyond the national team’s participation, the championships will put Singapore in the global sporting spotlight, showcasing elite talent while inspiring future local athletes.

“The championships is one of the sport’s most watched events, featuring world and Olympic champions, as well as the next generation of rising stars,” says Mr Chay. “Getting to witness these athletes live in action is an opportunity that does not come by every day.”

The World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025 will be held from July 11 to Aug 3; the Masters Championships will run from July 26 to Aug 22. Get your tickets here.

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