2025 AUSTRALIA vs THE WORLD
- Friday, December 12th
- The Valley Pool, Fortitude Valley, Queensland, Australia
- SCM (25m)
- Meet Central
One of the most unique swimming meet formats is about to unfold down under as the 2025 Australia vs The World competition is slated to take place tomorrow, Friday, December 12th.
Designed with entertaining spectators worldwide, the unconventional line up of events is divided into eight separate ‘racing blocks’ with each focusing on a different swimming dynamic. Racing block five, for example, is labeled ‘speed & endurance’ and contains knockout rounds of the men’s and women’s 50m fly and a mixed 6x50m freestyle mega relay.
Times are essentially irrelevant, as athletes simply earn points for their team based on the order in which they finish. 1st place grabs 5 points, 2nd place garners 3 points, 3rd place earns 2 points, and 4th place collects 1 point. Plus, each team holds a ‘power play’ in their arsenal to be unleashed for one men’s and one women’s event, worth 10 points alone.
As a means of further engaging fans, there is a series of mystery events to be decided on the day of. For example, there is a mystery 200m IM where the order of strokes is determined live by a roulette wheel. For further intrigue, each lane will have a different order.
You can view more details in the outlines below. Australia’s ‘9Now’ will be airing the competition free of charge; however, those outside of the host nation may need a VPN to catch the action as it unravels.



Australia:
- Henry Allen
- Ben Armbruster
- Josh Edwards-Smith
- Hannah Fredericks
- Meg Harris
- Sienna Harben
- Jamie Jack
- Shayna Jack
- Tara Kinder
- Cameron McEvoy
- Kaylee McKeown
- Lani Pallister
- Alex Perkins
- Jamie Perkins
- Will Petric
- Lilly Price
- Ella Ramsay
- David Schlicht
- Sam Short
- Flynn Southam
- Matt Temple
- Sienna Toohey
- Nash Wilkes
- Elijah Winnington
- Olivia Wunsch
The World:
- Thomas Ceccon (ITA)
- Lewis Clareburt (NZL)
- Caspar Corbeau (NED)
- Angharad Evans (GBR)
- Florine Gaspard (BEL)
- Isabel Gose (GER)
- Oliver Klemet (GER)
- Angelina Kohler (GER)
- Lukas Martens (GER)
- Rebecca Meder (RSA)
- Alberto Razzetti (ITA)
- Duncan Scott (GBR)
- Marrit Steenbergen (NED)
- Roos Vanotterdijk (BEL)
- Milou Van Wijk (NED)
- Abbie Wood (GBR)

How long does the broadcast last for? 2 hours? More?
This is a similar format to the Premier Swimming League that has been held in Queensland a few times.
Swim Australia website lists a team of 20 “World” swimmers on their website. Unknown how accurate the list is with any last minute withdrawals. More than the list displayed here…
Is there prize money. I assume airfares and accommodation is paid for.
Their website says this:
Wherever you are around the world, stream the action live here: http://www.watchsport.com.au/watch/ausvstheworld
So i believe anyone can watch without a VPN
Isn’t Lauren cox swimming too?
She is listed on the Swim Australia website as is Erika Fairweather, Nyls K, Louise Hanson etc
Josha Salchow posted an instagram story on his way to Australia- is he also swimming?
Maybe also just a training camp as he is a mate of Charlene’s and his Coach (Peter bishop) is Australian
According to https://germanaquatics.de/das-sind-die-lustigen-regeln-bei-australia-versus-the-world/ he is not on the team.
Peter Bishop coaches in the Netherlands now.
in 2025 there should be live stream, for few dollars, for the other people in the world.
It’ll be up on watchsport.com.au for free for non-Australians and free for Australians on 9now.com.au
https://www.watchsport.com.au/watch/ausVstheworld