NBC Sports is doubling down on swimming—not just every four years, but every year. In a move set to shake up how American audiences engage with the sport, NBC and USA Swimming have locked in a multi-year broadcast deal stretching through 2028. Fans will now have front-row access to major U.S. swimming events year-round, not just during Olympic season.
This is big. For a sport that usually fades from the spotlight between Olympic cycles, the partnership signals a shift toward mainstream visibility. From Katie Ledecky’s record-breaking swims to rising stars like Gretchen Walsh, swimming is no longer confined to once-every-four-years attention.
Making Swimming a Year-Round Fixture
NBC Sports will now air top-tier domestic swim meets like the TYR Pro Swim Series, Toyota National Championships, and Pan Pacific Championships annually on NBC, Peacock, and CNBC.
The message is clear: swimming isn’t going back to the shadows.
For decades, Olympic swimming drew blockbuster ratings—think Michael Phelps in 2008 or Simone Manuel in 2016. But after the flame went out, so did the coverage. Not anymore. NBC and USA Swimming want fans to stay connected long after the Olympic medals are handed out.
In a sport often misunderstood by casual viewers, access is everything. Having the finals air on Peacock while prelims stream on the USA Swimming Network is a smart balance. It gives the die-hard fans their full slate while making primetime races easy to find for everyone else.
And yes, that includes Grandma on her cable package.
Ledecky, Walsh Light Up Fort Lauderdale
At this year’s TYR Pro Swim Series stop in Fort Lauderdale, all eyes were on Katie Ledecky—and she delivered. Again.
She didn’t just win. She broke her own world record in the 800m freestyle. That alone could’ve headlined the meet, but Ledecky wasn’t done.
In the same stretch, she logged her fastest 400m time since Rio 2016 and her second-best 1500m ever. To put that into perspective: her time would’ve crushed the field in Paris 2024. She’s 28, but her pace? Still scorching.
Then came Gretchen Walsh.
Fresh off leading the Virginia Cavaliers to their fifth NCAA title, she smashed the world record in the 100m butterfly. More importantly, she became the first woman ever to swim the event in under 55 seconds.
And let’s not forget the others:
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Caeleb Dressel is working his way back to top form.
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Bobby Finke is still the man to beat in distance races.
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The next wave of U.S. talent is knocking loudly.
Two nights of finals streamed live on Peacock. All sessions were available on the USA Swimming Network. No paywalls. No tape delay. Just swimming.
Nationals in Indianapolis Set the Stage
Next stop: Indianapolis.
The 2025 Toyota National Championships kick off June 3 at the Indiana University Natatorium. It’s more than a big meet—it’s a ticket to the World Championships in Singapore.
Athletes will be chasing roster spots and career-defining swims. Ledecky and Walsh? They’re the headliners. But this meet will be packed with potential surprises.
Finals will air on Peacock, while prelims and B-finals stream through the USA Swimming Network. It’s the same hybrid model used for the Pro Swim Series. And it’s working.
Expect packed stands. Expect fast times. Expect storylines.
Pan Pacs Return to NBC After 8-Year Gap
It’s been a while since NBC aired the Pan Pacific Championships—eight years, to be exact.
That changes in 2026.
Irvine, California will host the event, which cycles among swimming powerhouses like the U.S., Japan, Canada, and Australia. This meet has historically been a launchpad for future Olympic stars.
Selection for the U.S. team is no joke either.
Up to 26 men and 26 women will make the cut, based on performances at:
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2025 Toyota Nationals
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World Aquatics Championships
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World University Games
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World Aquatics Junior Championships
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TYR Pro Summer Championships
According to USA Swimming, the full Pan Pacs roster will drop by September 8, 2025.
So yeah, no summer break for America’s best swimmers. And that’s exactly the point.
NBC’s Olympic Legacy Keeps Expanding
NBC isn’t just holding the rights to the Olympics—they’re building an empire around it.
They’ve had exclusive U.S. rights since 1988, but the deal now stretches through at least 2036. That means NBC will own coverage for:
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Milan Cortina 2026 (Winter)
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Los Angeles 2028 (Summer)
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French Alps 2030 (Winter)
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Brisbane 2032 (Summer)
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Salt Lake City 2034 (Winter)
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2036 Summer Games (host TBD)
They’re not just resting on legacy, either.
Remember the Moby-Cam? NBC debuted it underwater in 1992. Then came the Dive-Cam in 1996, which later won an Emmy. These weren’t gimmicks—they made swimming more compelling to watch.
NBC knows that to keep audiences hooked, you’ve got to tell the story and show the race.
They’ve now committed to doing both, every year, not just when the Olympic torch is lit.
