A Guide to the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m)

The Competition Structure

The Championships are structured to maximise excitement, with six days of competition. Heats will take place in the morning sessions, while the semi-finals and finals will occur in the evening, ensuring prime viewing times for fans across the world.

In the morning heats, up to ten lanes will be used in the competition pool, giving more athletes a chance to qualify for the next stages, and this will be reduced to ten lanes for the semi-finals and finals.

The programme includes all the traditional distances in freestyle (50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m), backstroke (50m, 100m, and 200m), breaststroke (50m, 100m, and 200m), butterfly (50m, 100m, and 200m), and individual medley (100m, 200m, and 400m). The relays will also be a highlight, with both men’s and women’s teams competing in the 4x100m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle, and 4x100m medley, alongside mixed relays in the 4x50m freestyle and medley.

The Duna Arena

Budapest’s Duna Arena is a state-of-the-art facility that has been at the heart of many international aquatic events. For the 2024 Championships, the arena will be configured into short-course pools, converting both Olympic-size pools into 25m pools. This setup allows for a total of thirty lanes across the competition and warm-up pools, ensuring athletes have ample space to prepare and compete.

The Duna Arena’s design not only supports top-tier competition but also enhances the spectator experience. With seating close to the action, fans can feel every stroke and cheer their favourite swimmers on as they battle for gold. The arena’s advanced timing systems and high-definition screens provide real-time results and replays, adding to the drama and excitement of each race.

Prize Money and Awards

A total prize pool of $2,025,000 will be distributed across the individual and relay events, with equal amounts awarded to men and women. The prize structure is designed to reward top performances, with the winners of individual events receiving $10,000, second place earning $8,000, and third place taking home $7,000. Similar rewards apply to relay teams, making every race a high-stakes competition.

In addition to prize money, medals and diplomas will be awarded to the top finishers in each event. The Championships also offer a special incentive for athletes who break world records, with an additional USD 25,000 on the line for each new record set during the competition. This focus on rewarding excellence ensures that the Championships attract the very best in the sport, all vying to leave their mark on the global stage.

For bettors, it is important to keep the prize money in mind as it can be a huge motivator for the swimmers. Athletes who are within striking distance of a world record might push themselves harder, creating opportunities for bettors to capitalise on these potential breakthroughs.

Key Dates and Schedule

The Championships are still a few months away but there are a number of key dates are worth noting:

• Official Training: December 6-9, 2024
• Opening Ceremony: December 10, 2024
• Competition Dates: December 10-15, 2024
• Closing Ceremony: December 15, 2024

Each day of competition will feature both morning and evening sessions, starting at 09:00 and 17:30 Central European Time (UTC+1), respectively. These times have been chosen to accommodate a global audience, ensuring that fans from all time zones can catch the action live.

Brazilian fans will find that the evening sessions align well with the time zones in Brazil, making it convenient to watch and place live bets on the events. Keep an eye on the semi-finals and finals, as these sessions will often feature the most anticipated and competitive races.

Betting Tips

1. Track Record - Look at the recent performance history of the swimmers, especially in short-course events. Those who have consistently performed well in 25m pools are more likely to maintain their form in Budapest.
2. Event Specialisation - Some athletes excel in specific events. For example, if you're betting on the 100m butterfly, consider athletes who have a history of strong performances in that particular stroke and distance.
3. Rising Stars - Keep an eye out for emerging talents who have shown significant improvement over the past year. These swimmers often have less pressure on them and can deliver surprising results, providing value in the betting markets.
4. Relay Teams - Betting on relays can be particularly exciting and unpredictable. Teams with a good mix of veterans and younger swimmers tend to perform well, as they combine experience with the energy and speed of youth.
5. Live Betting - Consider placing bets during the event, especially in the finals, where the stakes are highest. This allows you to adjust your strategy based on the performance of swimmers in the heats and semi-finals.

By focusing on these aspects and keeping up with the latest updates, you can make informed decisions that enhance your betting experience.

Start Planning Your Bets Today

The 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Budapest promises to be an event filled with world-class performances and thrilling races. At Galera Bet, we’ll be providing the latest odds and expert insights throughout the Championships, ensuring you have all the information you need to back the winners. There is time to do detailed research ahead of the championships, so start today and then visit our sportsbook to take advantage of all our betting markets and generous odds.