The Liffey Swim is returning to the heart of Dublin next weekend, with hundreds of swimmers set to take to the River Liffey for one of the capital’s best-known sporting traditions.
The 106th Dublin City Council Dublin City Liffey Swim will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, bringing around 300 competitors into Dublin city centre for a challenging 2.2km open-water race.
This year’s Liffey Swim is particularly significant as it will also form the centrepiece of the first-ever Dublin City Council Liffey Festival.
The two-day Liffey Festival will celebrate the River Liffey with a programme of sporting, cultural and maritime activities, live entertainment and family-friendly events taking place along Dublin’s quays and waterways.
The Liffey Swim will open the festival celebrations on Saturday, giving spectators the chance to watch the historic race before exploring the wider festival programme.
Here is everything you need to know about this historical race.
The Liffey Swim covers approximately 2.2 kilometres through the centre of Dublin.
The race begins at Rory O’Moore Bridge and finishes at Custom House Quay, taking swimmers underneath a number of Dublin’s famous bridges along the way.
It is a unique open-water swimming challenge, with competitors swimming through the tidal waters of the River Liffey while surrounded by the city centre.
The Liffey Swim is a competitive event, rather than a recreational swim, and swimmers have a one-hour cut-off time to complete the course.
Around 300 swimmers are expected to compete this year, including experienced open-water swimmers, previous Liffey Swim champions and first-time competitors who have successfully completed the qualification requirements.
The Liffey Swim has a long place in Dublin’s sporting history and has become one of the most recognisable events on the Irish open-water swimming calendar.
The event was also immortalised in Jack B Yeats’ painting The Liffey Swim, which is displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland.
The 2026 Liffey Swim is not open to absolutely everyone, as swimmers must meet specific qualification requirements.
Competitors must hold a competitive Swim Ireland club membership or Special Membership. Joint Triathlon Swim Plus Membership is also accepted.
Swimmers must also have competed in four open-water events hosted by Swim Ireland or a Swim Ireland-affiliated club nationwide, with the qualifying events listed on the Swim Ireland National Open Water Swim Series Calendar.
Previous Liffey Swim winners are also eligible to enter.
There is a minimum age requirement, with swimmers needing to be at least 14 years old or born in 2012.
Swim Ireland may contact clubs to verify that swimmers have met the qualification requirements.
Overseas swimmers, or anyone with questions about qualifying swims, can contact Swim Ireland regarding their eligibility.
There are two races taking place on Saturday, September 12.
Female registration, including collection of timing chips and swim hats, begins at 10am.
The female Liffey Swim starts at 12 noon.
Open/Male registration, including collection of timing chips and swim hats, begins at 11.30am.
The Open/Male Liffey Swim starts at 1.30pm.
Safety briefings will take place before each race.
Organisers have warned that, because the Liffey Swim is an open-water event, timings are subject to change on the day.
The Liffey Swim takes place right through the centre of Dublin, making it possible for spectators to see the race from different points along the River Liffey.
The course runs from Rory O’Moore Bridge to Custom House Quay, passing beneath some of Dublin’s best-known bridges.
That means there will be plenty of opportunities to see the swimmers as they make their way through the city.
If you are heading in to watch someone taking part in the Liffey Swim, remember that the event is taking place in the middle of a busy city-centre area. Allow extra time for getting into the city and finding a suitable viewing point, particularly around the start and finish areas.
The Liffey Swim is also the opening sporting event of the inaugural Liffey Festival, so there will be plenty happening around the city beyond the race itself.
Entry for swimmers under 18 costs €40.
Entry for swimmers aged 18 and over costs €60.
The entry fee for overseas swimmers is also €60.
The Liffey Swim has strict swimwear rules.
Skins are permitted, while tech suits, race suits and jammers are not permitted.
Swimmers should check the official acceptable swimwear requirements before taking part.
The Liffey Swim is a competitive open-water event, so participants should also make sure they are capable of completing the full 2.2km distance before entering.
There are a number of prizes available at this year’s Liffey Swim.
Prizes will be awarded to the fastest female swimmer and fastest Open/Male swimmer, as well as the first 10 female swimmers and first 10 Open/Male swimmers to finish.
There will also be female and Open/Male team prizes, along with an overseas winner prize.
The team prize will be awarded to the first four swimmers home from the same club.
Young swimmers can compete if they meet the age and qualification requirements.
Swimmers must be at least 14 years old or born in 2012.
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event, apart from when they are in the water.
For the first time in its history, the Liffey Swim will form part of the Dublin City Council Liffey Festival.
The new two-day festival is designed to celebrate the River Liffey and will include sporting, cultural and maritime activities along Dublin’s quays and waterways.
There will also be live entertainment, water-based activities, maritime attractions and family-friendly experiences.
For anyone travelling into Dublin to watch the Liffey Swim, the festival means there will be plenty to see and do before and after the race.
The Liffey Swim has been part of Dublin’s sporting life for more than a century and is regarded as one of Ireland’s most historic open-water swimming events.
The 2026 event will be the 106th Liffey Swim and remains a major fixture on Swim Ireland’s National Open Water Calendar.
Swim Ireland Director of Aquatic Sports Adam Cox said the event is an important part of Ireland’s sporting heritage.
“The Dublin City Liffey Swim is one of Ireland’s most historic and celebrated sporting events.”
He said this year’s event will be particularly significant because it will open the inaugural Liffey Festival.
“This year is particularly special as the 106th race will open the inaugural Dublin City Council Liffey Festival, providing an opportunity to showcase both this iconic sporting tradition and the River Liffey itself to an even wider audience.”
He added that organisers are looking forward to welcoming both swimmers and spectators to Dublin for the event.
“We look forward to welcoming swimmers and spectators to what promises to be a landmark weekend for Dublin and for Irish open water swimming.”
The partnership between Swim Ireland and Dublin City Council has helped keep the Liffey Swim at the centre of Dublin’s sporting calendar, while the new Liffey Festival is expected to bring an even bigger audience to the river and surrounding quays.
