Following the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25M) in Budapest, World Aquatics has broken its record for the highest prize money payout in the organization’s 116-year history. In 2024, World Aquatics awarded $7.1 million in prize money to 319 total swimmers.
That total is up from the $5.67 million in prize money the organization awarded in 2023. Despite the lower total amount awarded, the prize for world records was higher, at $30,000.
According to World Aquatics.com, “These figures reflect the sport’s continued growth and the organization’s pledge to reinvest in its athletes. This unprecedented performance-based payout is a game-changing investment, and the results speak volumes: a stunning number of World Records were shattered in the pool in 2024.”
More than 30 world records were shattered in Budapest. Record-breaking athletes were paid $25,000 for their achievements and an additional $10,000 if they competed in both the World Cup Tour and World Championships.
“I’m really happy World Aquatics are giving back to the community, letting swimmers achieve their dreams. Whether we like it or not, prize money is totally an incentive to make people go fast,” said Gretchen Walsh, a US-based swimmer who competed in Budapest. Walsh herself holds 11 world records and earned $275,000 in prize money in 2024.
Other top earners in 2024 included Kate Douglass ($343,000), Regan Smith ($285,000) and Noe Ponti ($277,000). These swimmers were awarded for their record-breaking performances at performances all year, and the high price tag of their prize money speaks for them.
“I am happy it’s going in this direction. For us athletes, it’s motivation. It’s nice that swimming is growing, it is a very exciting time for the sport. There are lots of records being broken – and maybe even more to come,” said Ponti, who set a world record in the 100M butterfly at the world championships.
The prize purse for professional swimming is not yet on the level of the NBA or NFL, but World Aquatic’s new record for awards money is one small step in that direction.
