Swim Across America, a US non-profit organisation that raises funds for cancer research through charity swims, has announced its event schedule for the 2026 season. The series expansion follows a record-breaking year for the organisation, which hosts events ranging from Nantucket to the Golden Gate Bridge.
For the 2026 season, 27 US destinations will host Swim Across America events, including 22 open water swims and five large community pool swims. The schedule also includes hundreds of additional pool swims at community centres and country clubs across the United States.
New chapters in Martha’s Vineyard, MA, and Phoenix, AZ, have joined the 2026 line-up. Registration for all events is now open through the organisation’s website.
Swim Across America is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention, and treatment. It partners with academic and community cancer hospitals, utilising a model where funds raised locally remain in that community to support clinical trials and research.
The expansion comes after the organisation awarded more than US$10 million in grants for 2025–26. In the 2025 season, charity swims were hosted in 25 communities and on college campuses, resulting in record participation and donations.
Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America, said “Swim Across America continues to grow because communities understand that when they dive in, they are helping save lives by supporting critical cancer research into new possible treatments, promoting screenings and patient support. In 2026, we are expanding our schedule to 27 chapters. We’re delighted to partner with the new markets of Martha’s Vineyard and Phoenix as new Swim Across America communities.”
The 2026 schedule includes:
- Florida Keys, FL – April 18, 2026 (open water)
- Tampa Bay, FL – May 9, 2026 (open water)
- Phoenix, AZ – May 30, 2026 (pool)
- Charleston-Kiawah, SC – June 6, 2026 (open water)
- Nashville, TN – June 14, 2026 (pool)
- Fairfield County, CT – June 20, 2026 (open water)
- Detroit, MI – July 10, 2026 (open water)
- Martha’s Vineyard, MA – July 18, 2026 (open water)
- Long Island Sound, NY – July 25, 2026 (open water)
- Nantucket, MA – July 25, 2026 (open water)
- Chicago, IL – August 8, 2026 (open water)
- Boston, MA – August 15, 2026 (open water)
- Denver, CO – August 22, 2026 (open water)
- San Francisco, CA – September 12, 2026 (open water)
- Seattle, WA – September 12, 2026 (open water)
- Atlanta, GA – September 19, 2026 (open water)
- Houston, TX – September 26, 2026 (open water)
- Daytona, FL – December 5, 2026 (open water)
Since its founding in 1987, Swim Across America has raised more than US$150 million for cancer research. The organisation has supported clinical trials contributing to FDA-approved immunotherapy treatments such as Keytruda and Opdivo.
Recent funding supported a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering which indicated that immunotherapy alone could successfully treat certain types of cancer. The non-profit also recently awarded gene editing innovation grants to the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Rob Butcher added “Every Swim Across America event has local meaning and worldwide impact. What began as a courageous swim across Long Island Sound in 1987 has become a coast to coast movement that funds breakthrough science, supports patients and families, and gives people a powerful way to honour loved ones affected by cancer.”
The organisation was founded by Matt Vossler after he and Jeff Keith ran across America to raise awareness for cancer. Jeff Keith, who lost part of his leg to cancer as a child, inspired the mission. The first charity swim took place in Long Island Sound in 1987 and has since grown into a US-wide charity series.
