SwimSwam has reached out to the ISL for direct clarification regarding the messages and any potential updates regarding the league’s return.
The International Swimming League (ISL) has reportedly been making waves outside of the pool in its quest to return in fall 2026 following a 4-year hiatus.
According to a post from Night:Swim (@nightswimpodcast) on Instagram, the league has sent messages to its former athletes indicating that there is a pending update on the league’s status. The message posted by the account was reportedly sent by former DC Trident head coach Cyndi Gallagher to athletes previously on the Trident’s roster. While it is unknown whether other ISL clubs have sent similar messages to their former athletes, independent sources have told SwimSwam that the league has already reached out to potential coaches.
The ISL has been out of action for four years, with its last public announcement coming in March 2022, when the league canceled its fourth season due to effects from both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the league’s founder and primary backer, Konstantin Grigorishin, being a Ukrainian oligarch.
The ISL hosted three full seasons, beginning with a seven-meet inaugural campaign in 2019 (with each meet in a different location) before hosting back-to-back seasons in 2020 and 2021 in Budapest, working under COVID restrictions.
After the initial season had eight teams and seven matches, the league expanded to 10 teams, with 13 matches during the 2020 season and then 18 in 2021.
Following that 2022 cancellation, the league remained dormant for several years, but returned to social media in December 2025 with an Instagram post and stories indicating an active level of management at the organization. Less than 2 weeks later, the league announced its intention to return, aiming for a fall 2026 relaunch alongside the newly-founded College Swimming League (CSL).
At the time, Commissioner Ben Allen told Reuters about the return. “ISL is coming back,” Allen told Reuters in an exclusive interview. “And we’re really excited about the prospect of a relaunch.”
While the question of the relaunch remains in the air, so does the question of the league’s ability to compensate athletes. In 2024, at least one team said that their athletes had yet to receive payments from the league for the 2021 season. In late 2025, it was reported that superstar Sarah Sjostrom was still owed money from the league according to her financial records, though that amount was not disclosed.
Please SS don’t highlight this unsavory podcast…. They had very misogynistic things to say about Gretchen
The only mentions of Gretchen on the pod have been that she broke the world record in Fort Lauderdale, and she should post more on tiktok to boost her profile. I know we’re not for everyone but this is just false.
Notice how this is because of el enhanced games W enhanced games😂🫲
Jake Shrum??
What was the rationale for Covid shutting them down in 2022?? They made it through 2020 and 2021 lol, I must have forgotten that angle.
It was also the war in Ukraine… IIRC some of their major backers were Ukrainian/had money in Ukraine
Their only real backer had most of his known wealth tied up in business between Russia and Ukraine. Had several things seized or nationalized by the government of Ukraine. And is now wanted by the Ukrainian government for large scale embezzlement.
https://swimswam.com/isl-founder-konstantin-grigorishin-put-on-wanted-list-by-ukraine-ministry-of-internal-affairs/
Not one length should be swum until all debts are paid to the former athletes. I know specifically that London Roar athletes are owed hundreds of thousands as are the athletes on other teams, I’m sure.
Omg omg omg omg omg omg
Uhhh, how many people from the last ISL season are still swimming
Between the Enhanced Games and ISL their DMs are blowing up
The ones that are still swimming are married, have full time jobs and kids!
Anastasia Gorbenko!