🇨🇳 2026 CMAS World Cup Mermaid and China Championship Open – Hainan
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The World Underwater Federation (CMAS) announces the 1st Mermaid World Cup, from August 25 to 31, 2026, in Lingshui, Hainan, China.
The CMAS Mermaid competition is a regulated sporting discipline that elevates aesthetic swimming with a mermaid or merman tail and a monofin to the rank of elite underwater competition. Through solo, duo, or group formats, athletes are meticulously evaluated across two main categories: the Skill Competition, which demands the flawless execution of compulsory underwater movements in apnea, precise buoyancy control, and a relaxed facial expression free of bubbles; and the Mermaid Dance, which prioritizes grace, choreography, and artistic interpretation beneath the surface set to underwater music.
1. General Event Information
Official Name: 1st CMAS Mermaid World Cup & 2026 China Championship Mermaid Open
Dates: August 25 to 31, 2026
Location: Lingshui, Hainan, China
Competition Venue: Hainan Ocean Paradise resort, specifically inside the massive exhibition tank named the “South China Sea Secret Realm”. This facility features 43 display tanks and is home to more than 1,500 species and 40,000 marine organisms.
Organizers: World Underwater Federation (CMAS) in conjunction with the Water Skiing, Underwater Activities and Powerboat Association of China.
2. Event Schedule
August 25: Arrival and official registration of athletes (Check-in).
August 26: Technical meetings for judges and team captains; official adaptive training sessions inside the exhibition tank.
August 27 to 30: Official competition days (preliminary rounds and finals).
August 31: Departure of delegations (Check-out).
3. Competition Disciplines and Judging Criteria
The events are governed by CMAS international regulations for the sport of Mermaiding and are split into two main categories:
Skill Competition:
Formats: Solo (Individual) and Synchronised Duos.
Focus: Strict evaluation of the clean execution of compulsory movements from the CMAS technical catalogue, absolute buoyancy control, dolphin kick hydrodynamics, body posture, and, crucially, facial relaxation (clean apnea, naturally open eyes, and no air bubble leakage).
Mermaid Dance:
Formats: Solo and Groups (teams composed of 2 to 4 athletes).
Focus: A purely artistic and choreographic discipline performed underwater to music broadcasted via subaquatic speakers.
Scoring: The final mark is a weighted average consisting of Body Art Score (Form Art), Musical Expression, Scenic Expression (Performance), General Artistry, and the execution of fundamental skills.
The competition is organised into four (4) categories:
Adult Categories (18–50 years): Men and Women
Mixed (Adults)
Junior Mixed Category (10–17 years)
4. Quotas and International Classification
The official rankings for the CMAS World Cup will be determined in descending order based directly on the overall results obtained during the routines at the China Open.
To ensure international equity, a strict limit of a maximum of two individuals or teams per country/region is established to eligible for the official point standings and the final CMAS World Cup podium.
5. Official Accommodation and Cash Prizes
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) will provide complimentary accommodation (in shared standard double rooms) at the official event hotel for the top 4 ranked athletes/teams across all World Cup disciplines.
Additionally, monetary incentives and cash prizes (in Chinese Yuan – RMB) will be awarded to selected categories within the framework of the China Mermaid Open to promote the professional growth of athletes in this rising discipline.
Last Updated on July 3, 2026