Santa Eulària Sets Its Sights on Hosting the 2028 Olympic Open-Water Swimming Qualifier

November 12, 2026

Santa Eulària wants to take its growing international reputation in open-water swimming a step further by becoming the host of the Olympic qualification event for Los Angeles 2028. The proposal would bring one of the most important competitions on the road to the Games to Ibiza, where swimmers will have a final opportunity to secure places in the Olympic 10-kilometre event.

The ambition was highlighted in a report published by Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera on 11 November 2026. It follows two consecutive editions of the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup in Ibiza, in 2025 and 2026, which have helped establish Santa Eulària as a regular venue on the international circuit.

However, the hosting decision has not been made. The International Olympic qualification event is scheduled for spring 2028, but World Aquatics has yet to confirm its location or exact dates.

The Route to Los Angeles 2028

Open-water swimming will have 44 athlete places at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, divided equally between 22 men and 22 women.

Under the qualification system published by the International Olympic Committee and World Aquatics, the first places will be allocated through the 2027 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest and the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Ranking.

The remaining places will be decided at the LA28 Olympic Games Qualification Event in 2028. This is the competition Santa Eulària hopes to host.

The event will be particularly important because it will provide the final qualification opportunity for athletes seeking to secure one of the remaining Olympic quota places. The system also includes provisions for continental representation and the host country.

Two World Cup Editions Strengthen Ibiza's Position

Ibiza's recent experience hosting international open-water swimming competitions is central to the island's ambition.

Santa Eulària hosted World Aquatics World Cup stages in 2025 and 2026, attracting leading international swimmers and establishing the municipality as a recurring destination on the circuit.

The organisation and participation levels have helped strengthen the island's reputation. The local setting also offers practical advantages for competitors and teams, with relatively short distances between accommodation, sporting facilities and other points of interest.

The waterfront promenade provides an additional attraction. Spectators can follow the races from the seafront, creating a visible public sporting event and bringing the competition into the centre of the town.

The ambition was already being discussed publicly in April 2026. During the presentation of that year's World Cup, Fernando Carpena, president of the Royal Spanish Swimming Federation, said the aim was to build on the existing competition and work towards making Ibiza a venue for Olympic qualification.

A Third Consecutive World Cup in April 2027

Before any decision on the 2028 qualification event, Santa Eulària will have another opportunity to demonstrate its organisational capabilities.

World Aquatics confirmed on 6 November 2026 that Ibiza will host the third stage of the 2026/27 Open Water Swimming World Cup on 23 and 24 April 2027. It will be the island's third consecutive year on the competition calendar.

The 2026/27 series is unusual because it runs across two calendar years. Its five stages are scheduled for:

  • Cancún, Mexico: 6–7 November 2026

  • Somabay, Egypt: 19–20 March 2027

  • Ibiza, Spain: 23–24 April 2027

  • Golfo Aranci, Italy: 30 April–1 May 2027

  • Setúbal, Portugal: 28–29 May 2027

The circuit will also provide preparation ahead of the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, where the open-water swimming events are scheduled for 3–8 July 2027.

Brisbane Mentioned as a Possible Rival

The competition to host the 2028 Olympic qualification event may be challenging. Periódico de Ibiza identifies Brisbane, Australia, as a potential rival, noting that the city will host the 2032 Olympic Games and could benefit from organising an international qualification competition beforehand.

The report also highlights one possible disadvantage for Ibiza: the island does not have a 50-metre swimming pool, which can be useful for athletes preparing for open-water competitions.

These considerations form part of the challenge facing the island, although no official announcement confirming the competing candidate cities has been identified.

An Opportunity to Strengthen Ibiza's Sporting Profile

Hosting the Olympic qualification event would represent a significant step for Santa Eulària and Ibiza's wider sporting profile. It would bring international attention to the island at a particularly important point in the Olympic cycle and build on the experience gained through the World Cup.

For now, the proposal remains an ambition rather than a confirmed hosting appointment. The next major opportunity to demonstrate the island's capabilities will come in April 2027, when Santa Eulària welcomes the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup for a third consecutive year.

The longer-term objective is clear: to establish Ibiza not only as a regular stop on the international open-water circuit, but also as a possible venue where athletes secure their qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

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