International Swimming League announces season schedule and global broadcast deals

Organisers of the International Swimming League (ISL) have announced the final schedule for its 2020 edition, which is due to commence in the Hungarian city of Budapest tomorrow (Friday 16th October) and conclude on Sunday 22nd November.

The six weeks of competition, all of which will be held at Budapest’s Duna Arena will feature 10 teams from North America, Europe and Asia, all loaded with the world’s elite swimmers, including Team GB’s Adam Peaty, Florent Manaudou from France, Federica Pellegrini from Italy, Hungarian Katinka Hosszú and American duo Caeleb Dressel and Lilly King.

The schedule was designed to produce six weeks of world-class competition while ensuring the health and safety of all those involved in the staging of the event during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting with 10 group stage matches, the event will then move into two semi-finals before culminating in the final on 21st and 22nd November. The decision to stage the final in the same location was to ensure the ongoing safety of the teams and to reduce the need to travel in these uncertain times.

Broadcasting what is likely to be biggest international sporting event of 2020, ISL has reached broadcast deals that will allow its second season of competition to be aired in over 140 countries, with live online and TV broadcasts scheduled.

Among the companies that will air the 13-match season are broadcasting giant CBS in the United States; beIN Sports for Australia (along with the Seven Network), Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, East Timor and Singapore as well as nations in Africa and the Middle East; ESPN Sports in New Zealand; TV Asahi in Japan; Eurosport India; BBC and Eurosport in Europe and CBC in Canada.

The action commences tomorrow, with the first match pitting defending ISL champions Energy Standard against the Cali Condors, NY Breakers and LA Current.

The six other teams competing for the title this season are the Aqua Centurions, DC Trident, Tokyo Frog Kings, Toronto Titans, Iron, and London Roar. 

Main image courtesy of the International Swimming League Ltd. Lower image shows Budapest’s Duna Arena on the banks of the River Danube.