SWIMMING

Swimming at Rainbow Games 2026 

Join us for a celebration of skill, spirit, and community in the pool! Swimming at Rainbow Games 2026 welcomes players of all identities, levels, and backgrounds to take part in a fun and inclusive tournament across multiple divisions.

Swim your best in the 25m state-of-the-art pool at Hiwa Recreation Centre at the University of Auckland.

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WAYS TO REGISTER:​​​​​​​

  • Register as an Individual . This will enable you to pick the individual and relay races you will compete in.

DELIVERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

ABOUT SWIMMING

VENUE

Hiwa Recreation Centre at the University of Auckland – a premium new state-of-the-art facility, located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland

DATES

Thursday 29 October

  • Registration + Opening Ceremony (evening)​​​​​​​

Saturday 31 October

  • All day competition

Sunday 01 November

  • Closing Event (evening)

REGISTRATION COSTS

Registration Fee (Reg + Sport Fee per person)

  • Early Bird: $59 (from 15 February to 15 April 2026

  • Standard: $69 (from 16 April to 16 October 2026)


​​​​​​​Your registration includes access to a full Rainbow Games experience:

  • Ticket to the Opening Ceremony (Thursday 29 October)
  • Ticket to the Closing Event (Sunday 1 November)
  • Access to the arts, culture, and social programme throughout the Games
  • Opportunity to compete for medals and represent your community with pride
  • Player accreditation pass 
  • Your fee includes a contribution to the Rangatahi Legacy Initiative, supporting future generations of LGBTQI+ youth in sport

In addition to the registration fee, players must pay a sport fee to participate in a sport of their choice.

​​​​​​​Swimming Sport Fee : $30 per player


CATEGORIES

The following categories are available:

  • Open
  • Female-identifying


  • Open (Inclusive of all gender identities and expressions. Anyone can enter this division.)
  • Female-identifying (Open to cis women, trans women, and non-binary players assigned female at birth.)


Within each category, you’ll select your division. The divisions are split by age, in line with the standard Masters format used in LGBTQI+ swimming competitions, with categories grouped by decade to support fair and inclusive participation:

  • 18–29
  • 30–39
  • 40–49
  • 50–59
  • 60–69
  • 70–79
  • 80+


You’ll be asked to enter five swimming races in the following formats and distances, alongside entering your expected finishing times to assist with operations. See options below:

  • Freestyle 25m, 50m, 100m, 200m
  • Breaststroke 25m, 50m, 100m
  • Backstroke 25m, 50m, 100m
  • Butterfly 25m, 50m
  • Team Relays 4 x 50m Freestyle, 4 x 50m Medley
  • Individual Medley 100m, 200m
  • Any Stroke 200m

(See FAQs for Programme details)

FAQS

MATCH FORMAT, DRAWS AND SCHEDULE