2026 AUSTRALIAN OPEN
- Monday, April 6th – Wednesday, April 8th
- Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
- LCM (50m)
- SwimSwam Preview #1
- Meet Central
- Start List
The 2026 Australian Open is nearly upon us, with action kicking off at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre on Monday, April 6th and spanning Wednesday, April 8th.
Although the meet is a non-selection competition, it represents an important stepping stone along the path to June’s all-important Australian Trials. That’s the meet where the Pan Pacific Championships and Commonwealth Games rosters will be determined.
We reported how big guns to the tune of Kaylee McKeown, Kyle Chalmers and Elijah Winnington are entered in the three-day affair. But also noteworthy is the fact that Olympic champion Zac Stubblety-Cook, fresh off missing last year’s championship season, is also among the entrants.
Reflecting on the past year, 27-year-old former World Record holder ZSC said, “It hurt to miss Worlds and it was a bit more disappointing because I would have been competitive but I am 100 per cent now and am back at my best.
“With myself coming back and also Sam (Williamson) also back from injury and swimming fast … throw in Gideon Burns … it’s an exciting time for male breaststrokers in Australia.
“The Australian Open will be good to see where I am at with race structure against the best swimmers here in Australia and at the same pool I raced my first senior meet – which was the 2018 Commonwealth Games.”
As we reported, additional contestants at this non-selection meet include world record holders Mollie O’Callaghan, Kaylee McKeon and freestyle aces Chalmers and Sam Short.
CEO of Experience Gold Coast John Ward said of the impending competition, “This is such a great event for the city … and some of the swimmers could be the ones that we see on the podium and swimming for Australia in Brisbane 2032.”
Minister for Tourism and the Environment Andrew Powell MP said securing major events like the national swimming championships was about delivering real benefits for Queenslanders and backing local communities.
“Events like this mean more visitors in our hotels, more people in our cafes and restaurants, and more work for local businesses right across the Gold Coast,” Minister Powell said.
“They also give young Queenslanders the chance to see the country’s best athletes up close and be inspired to chase their own dreams in the pool.
“That’s why the Crisafulli Government is focused on bringing more events like this to Queensland, backing jobs and cementing our reputation as the events capital of the country.”
FLASH QUOTES:
Zac Stubblety-Cook: Multiple Olympic medallist and defending Commonwealth Games champion in 200m breaststroke.
“Mel (Marshall) is a new flavour and Vince (Raleigh) was very different, it’s a different lifestyle and a different coaching style and I am enjoying it down the coast. 2028 (Olympics) is on the horizon.
“The two international meets are very different. There’s a young kid from Isle of Man* swimming fast and a young 17-year-old from Japan who is world class and could be the next Kitajima (4x Olympic gold medallist in breaststroke).
“And I know where I believe I can get to and be competitive.”
*Editor’s note: he appears to be referring to Filip Nowacki, who is from a different Channel Island: Jersey.
Keira Stephens: The 2x Paralympian is Australia’s fastest SB9 female breaststroker, holding the 50m and 100m national record.
“Moving to Mel Marshall’s squad at Griffith has been amazing, she is one of the best breaststroke coaches in the world and has given me so much confidence, improved my technique. And I love racing at this pool.
“Everything we do is geared towards being ready for 2028, and in LA we will compete in an outdoor pool. So to compete here in the open air is all part of of what we call being ‘Dolphins ready’.”
Hayley Mackinder: The Junior Dolphin claimed a clean sweep of breaststroke events with three gold at last year’s Australian Age Champs.
“I’ll be competing at Age and Opens, and Age is an extra opportunity to race before Commonwealth Games trials in June. It’s my dream to become a Dolphin and I am excited about what I can do here this week.
“I would love to compete in LA and through to 2032 … I’ve seen the plans for the NAC (National Aquatics Centre) and to compete at home and in a facility like that would be amazing. And I have the world’s best training partners in Zac (Stubblety-Cook) and Keira (Stephens).”
Mollie O’Callaghan will be featured on 60 Minutes on Channel 9 at 7.00pm Sunday night.
Thanks
I will watch
No mention that the meet is going to be televised or streamed, so I take it we’ll have to wait for footage of any notable swim to be uploaded to YouTube?
On the 9now app. Might need VPN.
For LA 2028, the 200 breaststroke will be very interesting with Marchand and ZSC, the last two Olympic champions, of course. But Corbeau, Nowacki and the young Japanese Shin Ohachi too. He just broke his PB in 2:06.54 and is only 17. 2:04 will probably be necessary to get the gold medal.
Ohashi is gonna cook everyone in this event.
Nowacki is not from Isle of Man.
I wanna watch 4X100 free Aussie women this year
Watch the men’s 100 free. Australia will break the 4/100 relay wr this year
Who do you have on the relay, and what splits do you foresee them going?
Chalmers go sub 47 first
They should lead him off in the 4×1 on day one when he’s fresh.
I agree BUT I love watching him catch others in the anchor leg position.
Indeed but I just wanna give him the best chance to break the NR and go 46 and leading of the relay seems like it.
Of course the politicians will turn into some sort of propaganda for the govt haha
Wish ZSC had a more upward trajectory as he seems to have lost his mojo soon after getting that WR in 2022 .. I thought he’d go regular 2.05 or 2.06 after that
Injuries really affected him in 2024 and 2025. Couldn’t perform at his best. And was it sickness in 2023? He’s had a rough trot. Like some others too.
He did go 2.06 regularly until after Paris Olympics.
My favourite breaststroke swimmer, so laconic, so Aussie.
Deserves more accolades. Could have been a double Olympic gold medalist if not for injury (yes I think he could have beaten Marchand). Also a former WR holder.
Frankly, I don’t think so.
Marchand was smooth and in control in 200 br even if he had a 200fly in his legs.
Maybe a more tight race but Marchand would have won though.
Frankly I disagree.
I stand by my earlier statement.
In semi-final, Marchand was so “easy” and in control in comparison to the others, he didn’t push himself too hard.
And Zac said himself that despite Covid Marchand was stronger (and Marchand had raced a 200 fly before so this compensates the disadvantage).
In a more fast pool, which seemed to affect the breastrokers more (100br for instance), a 2.05 low was within his reach.
Zac had a serious injury about 6 months before the Olympics (in the gym) plus COVID in Paris. I still attest that he could have beaten Leon.