Brisbane set to host a new world event

IT WILL be fast and furious and Australia versus The World.

Swimming Australia has today announced a world first in which our favourite Dolphins square off against some of the best in the world but this time it’s in our own backyard.

On December 12, at the Valley Pool in Brisbane, Australia versus The World will see the likes of world champions and Olympic gold medallists Kaylee McKeown (pictured right), Cam McEvoy and Mollie O’Callaghan take on Great Britain’s Olympic gold medallist Duncan Scott, Italy’s Olympic gold medallist Thomas Ceccon (pictured left)and Netherlands’ world champion Marrit Steenbergen.

It’s racing like you’ve never seen before with fans up close and personal at the Valley Pool, set in the heart of Fortitude Valley, one of Brisbane’s most iconic pools.

And it will all be shown on prime-time television.

The event is a precursor to an exciting race calendar over the next few years as the Dolphins look to compete on home turf more frequently in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Games.

The event will also include world first racing over 25m after the success of a test event at the recent Australian Short Course Championships in Melbourne which saw McEvoy set an unofficial world record of 9.36s over the distance.

McEvoy said: “Swimming has been the same product for some time. Other sports have evolved and absorbed exciting, fast paced, short form versions of themselves and had success. Swimming needs to continue to test this within our own sport in the hope of finding a niche product that will excite the public.”

“This event ahead of a home Games is also important. Brisbane 2032 will be special and the event will be bolstered by the knowledge of the stories going into them. So getting to know these new athletes who may take a lane in 2032 is important.

“Bringing in the 25m as an event is aligned with the trend of all sports where shorter, faster and closer competition is sought after. Also, as the event starts to be taken seriously, it brings the sport a level of growth.

“It will only have a positive downstream impact for the Olympic 50m events that make up almost 20 per cent of the total medal tally. Track has the 60m indoor and the 100m blue ribbon event, why can’t swimming have the 25m?”

Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse added: “This event is part of our strategy designed to elevate our sport on the journey towards Brisbane 2032. A key part of this is creating opportunities for the Dolphins to connect with the community, showcase talent, and inspire Australians through a series of high-profile events.”

“Australia v The World is the first of these events. It’s part of a new calendar designed to give fans more access to the Dolphins, with a format built around close racing and entertainment.”

Head coach Rohan Taylor, away with Dolphins competing at the Swimming World Cup in the United States, said: “ This is not business as usual—it’s a fun, engaging, and exciting event where fans will ride every high and low alongside you, cheering as you take on some of the world’s best and your biggest rivals.”

“This is our moment to show Australia—and the world—just how thrilling and innovative swimming can be. Together we can create a new platform for the sport, one that builds athlete profiles, grows fandom, and sets swimming up for long-term success on the road to 2032.”

With a limited number of tickets available to the public, tickets for Aus vs The World are available to purchase from 2pm AEST 16/10/25 via Ticketek here.

The event will be broadcast live and free on Nine and 9Now.

**Note: more athletes to be added**

AUS VS THE WORLD ROSTER CURRENTLY INCLUDES: