Record $5.5 Million in Prize Money Available at 2015 World Championships

Even without a World Record at the 2015 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia, there will be more than $5 million in prize money available across 6 disciplines – a new record for FINA’s premier non-Olympic event.

That’s an increase of more than 50% from 2013, where $3.1 million was awarded.

Each event in Kazan, Russia will see an increase from 2013, with the biggest changes coming in swimming, which goes from $39,000 per event to $60,000 per event; and water polo, which goes from $165,000 per event to $360,000 per event.

Further, prize money will be extended to 8 places (meaning all finalists in swimming) as compared to the 6 from 2013.

As usual, swimmers are due to make the most money in Kazan, including an increased $30,000 bonus for World Records. In all, a minimum of $2.5 million will be awarded in swimming across 42 events. Relays will divide the prize money among its four members for the appropriate place.

As an example of how much money can be earned, we’ll look at the top medalist of 2013, Missy Franklin. She would have taken $60,000 for her three individual event victories, and would have shared in three relay pools of $20,000. Assuming an equal share in those relays for prelims and finals swimmers, she would’ve taken in about $72,000.

Her American teammate Katie Ledecky, with three individual golds, one relay gold, and two World Records, would’ve racked up an impressive $123,000 under the new prize money were she a professional which is about $21,000 more than she would’ve gotten under the 2013 prize money standards.

High Diving, FINA’s newest that made its debut in 2013, is the only discipline that didn’t see a major increase in prize money (though there were still small gains). Despite massive crowds in attendance for the Red Bull Cliff Diving series, the sport is still not an Olympic event. The potential and popularity, though, is recognized by FINA as it still has the highest per-event prize money of any discipline at the World Championships outside of water polo (where the money is split among a dozen players on each team).

A full summary of prize money to be awarded is below. All amounts are in U.S. Dollars. These amounts are in addition to oft-hefty sums awarded by national federations for success.

No. of Events Prize $ Per Total Prize $
Swimming 42 $60,000 $2,520,000
Open Water Swimming 7 $60,000 $420,000
Diving 13 $60,000 $780,000
Men’s High Diving 1 $63,900 $63,900
Women’s High Diving 1 $62,900 $62,900
Solo/Duet Synchro 6 $60,000 $360,000
Team Synchro 3 $17,500 $532,500
Water Polo 2 $360,000 $720,000
Total $5,459,300
+ WR For Swimming $30,000
Swimming OW Swimming Diving Men’s High Diving Women’s High Diving Synchro (Solo & Duet) Synchro (Team & Free) Water Polo
1st $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $50,000 $80,000
2nd $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $40,000 $70,000
3rd $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $30,000 $60,000
4th $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $20,000 $50,000
5th $4,000 $4,000 $4,000 $4,000 $4,000 $4,000 $15,000 $40,000
6th $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $10,000 $30,000
7th $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $7,500 $20,000
8th $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $5,000 $10,000
9th $900 $900
10th $800 $800
11th $700 $700
12th $500 $500
13th $500
14th $500

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Sani kumar
8 years ago

I want participate in this competetion

Dan
8 years ago

How much of this, if any, can amateurs collect?

amateur swimmer
Reply to  Dan
8 years ago

absolutely nothing. As long as you are competing under NCAA, nothing…

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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