From the 13th–15th of June 2026, the Island of the Gods will host the 12th Asian Open Water Swimming Championship 2026 in the waters off InterContinental Bali Resort, Jimbaran Bay. The event will bring together some of the best athletes from 17 Asian countries.
The hosting of Asia’s most prestigious open water swimming championship is not only a sporting competition but is also expected to further solidify Indonesia’s position as a leading sports tourism destination.
The Indonesian Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, stated that the championship aligns with the Ministry of Tourism’s flagship programme for 2026, which focuses on developing quality tourism. In addition to increasing tourist arrivals, activities of this nature can also extend visitors’ length of stay and stimulate various economic sectors, including accommodation, transportation, culinary businesses, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
“Sports tourism not only offers sports competitions, but also serves as an effective means to strengthen the promotion of Indonesian destinations in the global market,” Wardhana said at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, the 4th of June.
In addition to the main championship for professional athletes, the organising committee is also presenting the A.Stream OWS Series Bali 2026, an event open to beginner swimmers, sports communities, and the general public.
Kiki Taher, Chief Executive of the 12th Asian Open Water Swimming Championship 2026 and the A.Stream OWS Series 2026, said Indonesia is honoured to have been entrusted with hosting these Asian-level championships. He also revealed that preparations for the event are currently 95% complete, despite challenges arising from global conditions affecting international airfares.
“We believe that with the full support of the government, especially the Ministry of Tourism, this small step will grow into something big for the advancement of Indonesian sports tourism,” Taher remarked.
The main event, the 12th Asian Open Water Swimming Championship 2026, will feature three competitions: the men’s and women’s 5-kilometre relay, the 4 x 1,500-metre mixed relay, and the men’s and women’s 10-kilometre relay.
Meanwhile, the A.Stream OWS Series Bali 2026 will feature various categories tailored to different age groups. The Kids’ 400-metre category is intended for children aged 10 and under. The A.Stream 500-metre and 1.5-kilometre categories are open to participants aged 11–13, as well as older age groups up to seniors aged 60 and above.
In addition, the A.Stream 3-kilometre category is available to participants aged 14–16 and older age groups up to seniors aged 60 and above. The A.Stream 1-Kilometre Relay Team category is divided into men’s open, women’s open, and mixed open divisions, with each swimmer completing distances of 500 metres, 300 metres, and 200 metres respectively.