Baku: The 2026 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup will be staged in three Eurasian cities next October on a Silk Road-themed route, the global governing body for swimming announced.

According to Namibia Press Agency, World Aquatics revealed that the series will make stops in Baku, Azerbaijan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Astana, Kazakhstan, over three consecutive weeks. This three-leg World Cup will serve as a build-up for the 18th World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), which will be held in Beijing, China, from December 1 to 6.

Hubert Kos, Hungary's reigning World Cup overall winner, expressed his anticipation for the Silk Road tour. Reflecting on the 2025 tour, Kos described it as an incredible experience, highlighting his undefeated campaign where he won all nine gold medals in the men's 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke across three North American World Cup stops, setting two world records in the process. He stated that the new route offers a unique dimension to the competition.

World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam also expressed enthusiasm for the Silk Road tour announcement. He emphasized the significance of bringing the Swimming World Cup to historic and culturally rich cities such as Baku, Tashkent, and Astana. Al Musallam noted that the tour would introduce the world's best swimmers to new regions, where their performances would be celebrated by local fans.

The 2025 Swimming World Cup season was notable for breaking 12 new world records and equalling one world mark, showcasing the high level of competition expected to continue in the upcoming Silk Road tour.