NBC Sports will continue to broadcast top aquatics events through 2028

NBC Sports has been the longtime American broadcast home for the world’s top aquatics events. That will continue through at least 2028.

A release from NBC Sports announced that events such as the World Aquatics Championships, World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), World Aquatics Swimming World Cup series, Artistic Swimming World Cup Super Final Diving World Cup and the High Diving World Cup will continue to be held on NBC and Peacock through 2028.

“The agreement helps boost momentum toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games in the U.S. while ensuring coverage for the flagship World Aquatics events and sharing the performances of US aquatics athletes with their home audience,” the NBC Sports release said. “Crucially, the agreement includes the 2027 World Aquatics Championships, in Budapest (Hungary), a major highlight on the international sports calendar and a key milestone on the road to the LA 2028 Olympic Games. The World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) – Beijing 2026 will also feature.”

World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam spoke in favor of the continued broadcast relationship.

“We are delighted to extend our valued partnership with NBC Sports, a broadcaster that shares our commitment to bringing the excitement and excellence of aquatic sports to fans across the United States,” he said. “This agreement ensures broad and consistent exposure for our athletes and events, including the 2027 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest—a key milestone on the road to the LA 2028 Olympic Games. With NBC Sports’ unparalleled reach and storytelling, we look forward to inspiring new generations and celebrating the global aquatics community together.”

Joe Gesue, NBC Sports’ Senior Vice President, Olympic Programming & Planning, NBC Sports, also spoke fondly of the arrangement.

“Our long-standing relationship with our valued partners at World Aquatics is core to our mission of telling the stories and showcasing the achievements of the world’s greatest athletes to the American audience,” Gesue said. “Aquatic sports have provided so many magical moments over the years, from swimming stars like Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky, clutch diving golds by Laura Wilkinson and David Boudia, world championship wins in water polo, and the U.S. artistic swimming team’s viral program from Paris. We are excited about sharing many more on the road to LA28.”

The arrangement will cover the remainder of Rowdy Gaines’ broadcast career. Gaines, a three-time Gold Medalist at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, became a color analyst shortly after his swimming career ended. Following the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Gaines announced that the 2028 Olympics would be his last.