A full house: the half-distance was also full, breaking all records with nearly 13,000 participants in the 43rd LIDL Balaton swim

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 06. 27. 11:58

Four weeks before the start, all distances of the 43rd LIDL Balaton Swim have reached their capacity limit. After the classic 5.2 km distance and the SUP crossing were already full, and now the last places for the 2.6 km half-distance have also been sold out, the final number of participants has reached nearly 13,000. This has set a new record, and if the weather is favorable, an unprecedented field of participants will be able to take on Europe’s largest open water swimming event on July 26, 2025.

There is great anticipation ahead of this year’s 43rd LIDL Balaton Swim. All places for the iconic 5.2 km distance between Révfülöp and Balatonboglár were sold out weeks before the start, and 10,500 people can set off to conquer the Hungarian sea. Previously, the SUP distance was also full, and now the organizer Budapest Sports Office (BSI) has also closed the registration for the 2.6-kilometer half-distance. With this number of participants of nearly 13,000, the event set a new record.

This record number is further proof of what we have long felt: the Balaton swim has now become a true Hungarian tradition. It has become an event where generations swim together, where the pride of the achievement is passed down from father to son, from mother to daughter. It is a great honor and responsibility to organize such an event. We provide the framework with all our knowledge and decades of experience, but the soul is provided by the participants

– said Árpád Kocsis, CEO of Budapest Sports Office.

The Balaton swim has a 45-year history and is now not only one of the oldest leisure sports events in Hungary, but also the largest open water swimming event in Europe. The number of participants in the first event in 1979, with 365 participants, has now increased many times over. The men’s record is held by Olympic champion Kristóf Rasovszky with a time of 57 minutes (2020), while for women, Olympic champion Éva Risztov holds the record with 60 minutes and 58 seconds (2016).

Lidl Hungary has been the title sponsor of one of the largest domestic amateur sports events for the 9th year, thus expressing its commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and a health-conscious diet. True to tradition, we are preparing for the event with a number of exciting and educational programs this year. We will be rooting for all swimmers, runners and enthusiastic fans on the big day

– said Judit Tőzsér, Head of Corporate Communications at Lidl Hungary.