Date: September 20, 2026
JOIN US FOR ANOTHER HISTORIC SWIM
The Chicago River Swim offers participants the once-in-a-lifetime experience to swim among the city's iconic skyscrapers and under its historic bridges. The event offers 1-Mile and 2-Mile distances.
Click below to learn about the event qualifications and late entry requirements, media details and volunteer opportunities.
BIG NEWS: APPLICATIONS REOPENING
Applications for the 2026 Chicago River Swim will reopen the week of August 17. This limited application window is made possible by entries returned through athlete deferrals and provides an opportunity to expand this year's field.
Applications will be available in person only at:
- Open Water Swim CHICAGO at Ohio Street Beach on Tues, August 18 at 4:00 pm
- Supertri Chicago Expo at the Chicago Hilton:
- Fri, August 21: 1:00 - 7:00 pm
- Sat, August 21: 10:00 - 5:00 pm
Click below for details.
2025 Event Recap
2025 Event Impact
See the metrics behind the inaugural Chicago River Swim
2025 Media Coverage
Witness what 3 billion media impressions looks like!
2025 Participant Results
Search the list of award winners and participants alike
2025 Event Photos
View the Chicago River Swim for yourself
2025 CHICAGO RIVER SWIM HYPE VIDEO
HOW'S THE WATER QUALITY?
Have a look at the most recent qPCR water quality results by location within the Swim Course (along each bridge).
APPLICATIONS CLOSED
Applications for CRS have formally closed, although a handful of post-close entries are available to select individuals. Click below to learn more.
THE SWIM COURSE
From Marina Towers to the Wolf Point confluence, check out the swim course that will make history this September.
— 100 YEARS AGO
RIVER SWIMS WERE THE BEES KNEES
The Chicago River's flow was reversed nearly 125 years ago to draw fresh water from Lake Michigan and clean a polluted river.
To celebrate the waterway's drastic turnaround, the Illinois Athletic Association began hosting a series of open water swims back in 1908.
The river swims attracted the highest-profile swimmers in the world, and more than 100,000 spectators lined the shore. The Chicago River Swims were a jewel in the crown of our young, vibrant city.
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