Karmactive Staff
If you registered for this morning’s Chicago River Swim, don’t head to the starting line. The event has been called off.
Organizers canceled the 2026 Chicago River Swim on Sunday morning following concerns about weather and river conditions. Sustained rainfall raised a combined sewer overflow risk affecting water quality, and the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for the Chicago area. Race officials made the call at 4 a.m., issuing participant notifications before the scheduled start time.
The cancellation affects all registered swimmers across every distance category. Officials are asking participants not to report to the starting area.
You cannot swim today and should not report to the starting line, but your weekend plans aren’t entirely scrapped. You can still meet fellow athletes at the designated indoor venue — the organizers have arranged a gathering point for the community that planned to be on the water today.
The official post-race gathering takes registered participants and spectators to the Chicago Brewhouse, where an indoor event will run from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. This is a post-race celebration, not a makeup swim.
For registered participants, the key practical information is this: all registrants have been deferred to the 2027 Chicago River Swim, scheduled for September 19, 2027. Refunds will not be issued. Fundraising totals will remain with the event’s official charity partner. Timing-chip returns and packet-collection arrangements are detailed in the official cancellation FAQ on the event website.
The decision to host an indoor alternative reflects the reality that for many participants the social element of race day matters as much as the event itself. Athletes who traveled from outside Chicago have a place to connect with other competitors and the organizing team.
Check the official event page for any further announcements or updates to the 2027 event details.
