Swimming NZ has announced that the 2026 NZ Short Course Swimming Championships will be held at the new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre in Ōtautahi Christchurch from 27 September to 1 October. This marks the first national swimming championships in the city since 2010. The event is expected to draw top swimmers aged 13+ from across Aotearoa and beyond and will play a key role in selecting the team for the 2026 World Aquatics Championships in Beijing. The announcement is being celebrated as a major milestone for the region and a boost for local sport and tourism.