Chicago River Swim Returns With 750 Swimmers and Olympic Stars
Chicago – September 11, 2026 -- The city of Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson are bringing back the Chicago River Swim for a second year, expanding the event from 500 to 750 qualified swimmers and reviving "The Big Jump" as part of a three-day weekend from September 18 to 20, 2026. Registration is open now at ChicagoRiverSwim.org for both the swim and the jump.
The Big Jump kicks off the weekend on September 18
The event gives registered participants a sanctioned chance to leap into the river while raising money for ALS research and youth swim education. Mayor Johnson will serve as master of ceremonies alongside Dutch Olympic gold medalist Maarten van der Weijden, Czech ice-swimming world champion Max Munson, Dublin Mayor Daryl Barron, former Chicago Bears player Charles Tillman, and Grammy-winning producer DJ White Shadow.