The city of Chicago announced a $500 cash prize for a sanctioned jump into the Chicago River and has reopened registration for the expanded Chicago River Swim, both slated for September 2026. The incentive and the added swim slots are being coordinated by the Chicago city government together with the event’s organizers.
The jump component is limited to one hundred participants. Each entrant who completes the jump under the event’s safety guidelines will receive the five‑hundred‑dollar reward. The opportunity is offered for a short period, encouraging interested individuals to act quickly.
Registration for the swim portion has also been reopened, now allowing up to two hundred fifty swimmers. This increase reflects the event’s expansion, which adds more capacity than in previous years. Prospective swimmers can sign up through the official channels that manage the Chicago River Swim.
Both the cash‑rewarded jump and the enlarged swim roster are intended to boost participation ahead of the main competition later in the month. City officials and the organizers said the dual approach is designed to attract a broader audience and generate excitement for the annual river event.
The expanded Chicago River Swim will take place on the Chicago River in September, continuing the tradition of open‑water swimming in the downtown waterway. Participants will follow the established course used in prior editions, while the jump will be conducted at a designated location approved by the city.
By offering a limited‑time cash prize and increasing the number of swim entries, the city aims to encourage more residents and visitors to experience the river event. The combined measures are part of a promotional effort to increase overall involvement as the Chicago River Swim grows in scale.