Lignano Sabbiadoro to Host 2026 CMAS World Cup Finswimming Indoor Championship
The Italian coastal town of Lignano Sabbiadoro will welcome finswimmers from around the world this March for the 2026 CMAS World Cup Finswimming Indoor competition. Scheduled for March 6-8, 2026, the event promises to showcase elite aquatic athletes competing in one of the sport’s premier international tournaments.
A Perfect Coastal Setting
Nestled on a pine-covered peninsula at the southwestern edge of the Marano lagoon nature reserve, Lignano Sabbiadoro offers an ideal backdrop for this prestigious competition. The resort town, which comprises three districts—Sabbiadoro, Pineta, and Riviera—has evolved from a small fishing refuge into a thriving tourist destination since its first hotel opened in 1903. Today, its approximately 7,000 residents host visitors attracted by the town’s sandy beaches, natural beauty, and vibrant cultural scene.
The competition venue, Bella Italia Sports Village, sits within 60 hectares of verdant pine forest on Central Avenue. The facility features a modern Olympic-sized pool measuring 50 meters in length with eight lanes and a depth of 2.10 meters. With a water temperature maintained at 26°C and seating for 400 spectators, the venue provides professional conditions for both athletes and observers.
Competition Structure and Categories
The championship will feature multiple racing categories across three age divisions. Senior athletes (18 years and over), Junior 1 competitors (16-17 years), and Junior 2 participants (12-15 years) will compete in both men’s and women’s events across four distinct disciplines: Surface swimming, Apnea, Immersion, and Bi Fins.
Race distances vary by discipline, with Surface events ranging from 50 meters to 1500 meters, while Immersion and Bi Fins competitions span 50 to 400 meters. Relay events will add team dynamics to the individual competitions, with 4×100 Surface relays and mixed relays scheduled throughout the three-day event.
The competition will follow a structured schedule, with morning and afternoon sessions each day. Day one opens with 100-meter and 1500-meter Surface races, along with Bi Fins and Immersion events. The second day features 200-meter and 800-meter distances, while the final day concludes with 400-meter races and the relay competitions.
Awards and Recognition
Organizers have planned comprehensive recognition for competitors across multiple categories. Individual medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each race, while team prizes will honor the leading clubs and national teams. Special Achille Ferrero prizes will recognize the fastest senior competitors in the 100-meter Surface events for both men and women.
Classifications will be compiled for individuals, clubs, national teams, and countries, with separate rankings for different age and gender categories. The scoring system follows CMAS guidelines, with points accumulating throughout the competition to determine overall winners.
Participation Requirements and Logistics
Only athletes holding valid CMAS licenses may compete, and all participants must register through the CMAS Portal. Registration fees include 25.53 euros for CMAS participation fees per round, plus organization fees of 10.20 euros per individual distance and 18.30 euros per relay.
The deadline for preliminary registration is February 8, 2026, with payment of participation fees due by February 15. Late registrations will incur a 10% surcharge. For competitors requiring visas, applications must be submitted by February 5.
Lignano Sabbiadoro is accessible via multiple transportation options. The nearest airport is Ronchi dei Legionari in Trieste, located 58 kilometers away, though Venice’s Marco Polo Airport (100 km) and Treviso’s Antonio Canova Airport (110 km) offer additional access points. The Latisana train station, just 20 kilometers from the venue, connects to major Italian cities and is serviced by regular bus lines to Lignano.
Safety and Fair Competition
The organizing committee has emphasized its commitment to fair play and athlete safety. An international jury will oversee the competition according to CMAS rules, with doping controls conducted in accordance with CMAS and WADA standards. Judges are authorized to inspect swimmers’ equipment at any time, and athletes must present themselves with full equipment at least 10 minutes before their scheduled races.
For Immersion events requiring compressed air bottles, specific regulations apply. Bottles must be delivered empty for inspection and refilling by 8:00 PM each evening and will be returned the following morning. All equipment must meet Italian legal requirements and pass physical integrity inspections.
As the competition approaches, Lignano Sabbiadoro prepares to demonstrate why it has become a favored destination for international sporting events, combining world-class athletic facilities with the natural beauty and hospitality that have made it a beloved resort for generations of visitors.
FILES
- 2026 CMAS World Cup FSW Indoor Lignano_Accommodation Form
- 2026 CMAS World Cup FSW Indoor_Lignano_Information Bulletin
- Annexe 1_ind
- Annexe 5_ind
- Bella Italia Form
RESULTS:
Session 1 - Friday Morning - March 6th 2026
- 200IMM JUN2 W
- 200IMM JUN1 W
- 50BF JUN1 W
- 50BF JUN2 W
- 200IMM SEN W
- 50BF SEN W
- 1500SF JUN2 W
- 1500SF JUN1 W
- 1500SF SEN W
- 200imm Men Jun1
- 200imm Men Jun2
- 200imm Men Sen
- 50bf Men Jun2
- 50bf Men Jun1
- 1500 Sf Men Jun2
- 1500 Sf Men Jun1
- 1500 Sf Men
Session 2 - Friday Afternoon - March 6th 2026
- 4X100SF JUN 2F
- 4X100SF JUN1 F
- 100BF JUN2 F
- 100BF JUN1 F
- 100BF SEN F
- 100SF SEN F
- 100SF JUN1 F
- 100 SF JUN2 F
- 4X100SF JUN2 M
- 4X100SF JUN1 M
- 100BF JUN2 M
- 100BF JUN1 M
- 100BF SEN M
- 100sf JUN 2 M
- 100sf JUN 1m
- 100sf Sen M
Session 3 - Saturday Morning - March 7th 2026
- 50AP SEN M
- 50AP JUN 2M
- 50AP JUN 1 M
- 200BF JUN2 M
- 200BF JUN1 M
- 200BF SEN M
- 200SF JUN1 M
- 200SF JUN2 M
- 200SF MEN SEN
- 50AP JUN 2F
- 50AP JUN 1F
- 50AP SEN F
- 200BF JUN 2 F
- 200BF JUN1 F
- 200bf Sen F
- 200sf Jun 2 F
- 200sf Jun 1 F
- 200 Sf Sen F
Session 4 - Saturday Afternoon - March 7th 2026
- 4x100sf Sen M
- 400bf Jun2 M
- 400bf Jun1 M
- 400 Bf Sen M
- 800 Sf Jun 2 M
- 800sf J1m
- 800sf Men Sen
- 4X100SF SEN F
- 400BF JUN1 F
- 400BF JUN 2 F
- 400BF SEN F
- 800 JUN2 F
- 800 SF SEN F 1
- 800 SF JUN 1 F
- 800 SF SEN F
Session 5 - Sunday Morning - March 8th 2026
- 100IMM SEN F 1
- 100 IMM JUN 1 F
- 100IMM SEN F
- 400SF JUN 2 F
- 400SF JUN 1 F
- 400SF SEN F
- 4X100SB JUN 2
- 4X100SB JUN 1
- 100imm J1 M
- 100IMM JUN 2 M
- 100imm Sen M
- 400SF JUN 2 M
- 400sf Sen M
- 400sf Jun 1 M
Session 6 - Sunday Afternoon - March 8th 2026
- 50SF JUN 2 F
- 400IMM SENF
- CLASS SEN F NAZ
- CLASS SEN F NAZ(1)
- CLASS J2F NATIONAL
- CLASS J2F CLUB
- CLASS J1F NAZ
- CLASS J1F CLUB
- CLASS GEN NATIONAL
- CLASS GEN CLUB
- 400 IMM JUN 2 F
- 400IMM JUN2 F
- 50SF SEN F
- 50SF J1F
- CLASS SEN MEN SOC
- CLASS SEN MEN NAZ
- CLASS J1M SOC
- CLASS J1M NAZ
- 4X100SB SEN
- 400IMM J2M
- 400IMM J1M
- 400IMM SEN M
- 50SF JUN 2M
- 50SF JUN1 M
- 50SF SEN M




