A legendary Budapest sporting tradition is set to return in 2026: the Generali OWT Danube Swim Crossing, offering around a thousand participants the chance to swim across the Danube from Pest to Buda and experience the river as a unique space for sport and recreation.
The event will take place on 29 August 2026, marking one of the most anticipated sporting highlights of the year in Budapest. Organised by the Open Water Tournament, the swim will allow participants to cross the river between the sections near the Corvinus University of Budapest and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), effectively moving from Pest to Buda through open water in the heart of the city.
“Back in 2016, we organised the first Budapest Danube swim at Liberty Bridge together with the Pest County Search and Rescue Service. That event became the starting point for the Open Water Tournament, which now aims to open up not only the Danube but all of Hungary’s waters to open-water enthusiasts. This year, however, we are returning to our roots: alongside the July race between Szentendre and Budakalász and the August swim in Gyékényes, we are once again diving into the capital,” said Balázs Mezős, founder of OWT.
The Danube swim had not been held in recent years due to the significant organisational and safety costs involved in securing the 500-metre course. This year, however, the initiative has been revived with the support of the Generali through the Generali a Biztonságért Alapítvány (Generali for Safety Foundation), allowing city residents to once again enjoy this unforgettable experience.
On Saturday, 29 August 2026, both professional and amateur swimmers are welcome in central Budapest. The start will be on the riverside embankment in front of Corvinus University, as in previous years, while the finish line will be at the race centre in front of BME. Participants will enter the water from a floating mobile dock, with a water temperature of around 23°C, entering in waves.
Water safety for the event will be provided by the co-organiser, the Pest County Search and Rescue Service, which has operated as a volunteer rescue service for more than 20 years. Based on regulations from the Danube Water Police, a total of 12 motor rescue boats will secure the swimming corridor, with around 30 rescue professionals overseeing up to 20 swimmers in the water at any given time.
The Generali OWT Danube Swim Crossing will take place as part of the all-day Generali Night Run event series.
Register at nightrunbudapest.com!
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