Dolphins, world record holders and international stars descend on Sydney

Olympic champions, world record holders and rising international stars are set to light up the pool this weekend as the 2026 NSW Speedo State Open Championships dive into action at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Headlining the three-day spectacle are Australian swimming royalty including Kaylee McKeown, Zac Stubblety-Cook and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Timothy Hodge, with fans able to witness world-class racing for just $10 a ticket.

With the Australian Trials and Commonwealth Games looming later this year, the championships will serve as a crucial hit-out for Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, ensuring intensity from the very first heat.

McKeown returns to a venue where she previously rewrote history, having set her 200m backstroke World Record at this meet in 2023. She’ll face rising star Iona Anderson in what promises to be one of the must-watch clashes of the weekend.

In the freestyle events, NSW Olympic gold medallist Olivia Wunsch (NSWIS) will go head-to-head with Milla Jansen and Jaimie DeLuttis (NSWIS) in a battle of NSW’s fastest women, a showdown certain to bring the crowd to its feet.

Breaststroke fans will be treated to a stacked line-up, with sprint specialist Sam Williamson continuing his comeback and former world record holder Stubblety-Cook building momentum in the 200m. Teen sensation Sienna Toohey (NSWIS) will also look to continue her rapid rise against a high-quality field.

The women’s individual medley events promise tactical, edge-of-your-seat racing, while the multiclass program will feature Paralympic champion Hodge and fellow Australian representative Tom Gallagher.

Adding further international flavour, swimmers from New Zealand, Sweden, Korea, Japan and Ireland will take to the blocks, including Swedish World Cup medallists Louise Hansson and Sara Junevik in the butterfly events. With heats starting from 9:00am daily and finals at 6:00pm Friday and Saturday (5:30pm Sunday), spectators can experience three full days of elite racing in one of Australia’s premier aquatic venues.

Tickets are just $10 and available now at TICKETBOOTH – www.nsw.swimming.org.au/events/2026-nsw-state-open-championships. For fans watching from outside Sydney, finals sessions will also be streamed live at: www.watchsport.com.au/channel/swim-nsw

Don’t miss your chance to see the nation’s best and the world’s best make waves this weekend.

Swimming NSW is the peak body for competitive swimming in New South Wales, supporting
thousands of swimmers through training, events, and development programs. Committed to
inclusivity and excellence, Swimming NSW serves athletes at every level, fostering a vibrant
swimming community across the state.

Swimming NSW