2ND ANNUAL CHICAGO RIVER SWIM

The Chicago River Swim presented by the City of Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson

will return for its second annual event on Sunday, September 20, 2026, bringing swimmers back to the

heart of downtown Chicago for another landmark civic moment.

The inaugural Swim in 2025 marked a historic milestone as the first organized open water swim in the

Chicago River in 98 years, demonstrating that the river can safely support large-scale recreational use

while serving as a platform for environmental stewardship, public health, and philanthropy. The event

is the result of more than a decade of persistence led by founder Doug McConnell, working in

partnership with City leaders, scientists, and environmental organizations to make the return of

swimming to the river possible.

The City of Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson are serving as Presenting Partner, reflecting the City’s

leadership in restoring the river and expanding safe public access to its waterways. Their support

enabled an event of this scale to take place in the center of downtown, reinforcing the river’s

transformation and establishing the Chicago River Swim as a growing civic tradition.

The event is produced by nonprofit A Long Swim and founded by marathon swimmer and ALS advocate

Doug McConnell. “Year one proved that this swim could be done safely and responsibly, and that

people were ready to embrace the river in a new way,” said McConnell. “The second annual Chicago

River Swim is about building on that momentum. It is deeply meaningful to see this become a lasting

tradition that supports ALS research and helps ensure more young people have access to swim

education and water safety.”

Beneficiaries

Proceeds from the 2026 Chicago River Swim will support ALS research as well as swim safety and swim

education programs for youth in underserved communities.

The Swim and Where to Watch

On event day, qualified swimmers will take on one-mile and two-mile courses along the Chicago River’s

main channel in downtown Chicago. The course, stretching from Wolf Point to State Street, will be

marked by inflatable buoys and safeguarded by lifeguards, kayaks, and support boats. Spectators will

be invited to gather along the Riverwalk and designated viewing areas to cheer on swimmers as they

complete the course. More on the swim course can be found here.

Registration

Applications for the 2026 Chicago River Swim will open on March 31 and will close on April 27. All

applicants will undergo an eligibility review to ensure they meet established safety and experience

requirements. Five hundred qualified swimmers will be selected, with participants announced the week

of May 4. Additional event details, including the full weekend schedule, safety protocols, and

registration information, will be announced in the coming months. More information is available here.

Photo Credit: Chris Costoso