World Aquatics has officially broken ground on its new global headquarters in Budapest’s 13th District, marking the beginning of a landmark development for the international governing body of aquatic sports.
The new headquarters, developed by Southblaze Ltd., will be part of a state-of-the-art complex covering nearly 20,000 square metres. The facility will house the federation’s main offices, a world-class aquatics training centre, and athlete accommodation. This move establishes Budapest as the administrative and decision-making hub for global aquatics, which includes swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water swimming, and high diving.
“This is a tremendous recognition for our country,” said Péter Zentai, CEO of Southblaze Ltd., during the ceremony. “It is an honour that World Aquatics has chosen to relocate its headquarters to Hungary.”
The relocation was formalised in 2023 through an agreement between World Aquatics and the Hungarian State. Since then, the design has been refined to align more closely with Hungarian architectural values, replacing the original LED façade concept with a more timeless and sustainable approach.
The development is aligned with the Budapest 2030 Urban Development Concept, which supports sustainability, innovation, and international engagement. It has received backing from the Hungarian State, Budapest Municipality, and the National Architectural Planning Council.
World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, emphasized the project’s long-term vision and global significance. The facility is expected to be completed by mid-2028.
In addition to the headquarters, the site forms part of the Láng Quarter Project, which will include a two-hectare park and modern, sustainable residential and office buildings, designed in accordance with the “15-minute city” concept. Residential property sales in the area are expected to begin later in 2025.
This relocation strengthens Hungary’s role in the global aquatics community and is set to deliver economic, tourism, and professional benefits for decades to come.
