Ledecky and McIntosh headline star-studded Pan Pacs in Irvine

The Pan Pacific Championships have reconvened in Irvine, marking the biggest global swimming event for U.S. athletes in 2026 and the first held on American soil since 2010. Katie Ledecky, the dominant distance swimmer, will compete in the 1500m, 800m and a head-to-head 400m freestyle against Canadian Summer McIntosh, who recently overtook her at the Paris Olympics and 2025 Worlds. Australian Lani Pallister also features in the women's distance lineup.

On the men’s side, Bobby Finke and Sam Short will contest the 800m and 1500m freestyles, reviving the U.S.-Australia rivalry. World-record watches focus on Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass, who have already traded records this year, as well as rising swimmers Van Mathias, McKenzie Siroky and Anna Moesch, who are poised to make a splash in sprint events. The meet will be broadcast live on Peacock and NBCSN.