Speedo vs Arena: AU Competition Swimwear Compared

The rule book comes before the brand

Before any brand question, there is a rule. World Aquatics, the sport's international federation, keeps a "List of Approved Swimwear", and its competition regulations set out "all technical and approval-implementing rules" for swimsuits in "Part One, Rule 6: Swimwear." A racing suit for an officiated meet has to be on that list, whichever logo it carries.

Within those rules, Australian swimmers mostly choose between two brands: Speedo and Arena. This guide sets out how the national team deal works, what it means for everyone else, and how to choose.

The national team deal: Arena through LA 2028

According to SwimSwam, which reported the deal on 28 March 2025, Swimming Australia "announced a four-year partnership extension with arena", making it "the official swimwear brand for Australian swimmers through the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles."

The relationship has run for some years. SwimSwam's history of it:

LA 2028 will be "the third straight Olympics in which Australian swimmers have worn arena," after Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

Individual swimmers can still wear Speedo

The national deal does not stop individual sponsorship. SwimSwam notes that "although arena is the official brand of Swimming Australia, Aussie swimmers are still able to wear and promote their personal sponsorships provided they follow certain guidelines." Its example is two of Australia's best: "Kaylee McKeown and Mollie O'Callaghan, are sponsored by Speedo and wore Speedo suits at the Paris Olympics."

Arena, for its part, has signed its own names. SwimSwam reports that it signed Olivia Wunsch, who won gold at 18 on the women's 4×100 free relay in Paris. Swimming Australia's Jodie Hawkins said Arena "has become synonymous with our successful Dolphins team," from Wunsch to Kyle Chalmers.

So on the Olympic pool deck, Australians race in both brands. The federation deal decides the team kit, not every swimmer's suit.

What the deal means for club and junior swimmers

Swimming Australia's own announcement shows the deal reaches further than the Olympic team. It describes "a new four-year swimwear and team apparel extension" that covers "athletes at every level – from age group through to the international level." Arena "will be worn by all Australian national teams in the lead-up to LA, and by Swimming Australia's junior and youth squads across able and para programs."

It also reaches clubs, through discounts rather than rules. The announcement introduced a "Club Direct program", through which "registered clubs can access discounts on arena swimwear and apparel," and an Arena VIP Membership that gives individual swimmers "a discounted rate on arena products." Nothing in it requires a club to use Arena. If your club has joined Club Direct, though, Arena may be the cheaper choice.

The announcement adds a piece of history: Shane Gould, who won five individual Olympic medals in 1972, was an original ambassador for the brand.

Day to day, what matters most is whether a suit is approved for competition, whether it fits, and whether it survives the chlorine.

Approved suits: what to check

World Aquatics' approval process explains why "approved" means something. Makers must submit each model through an online application with "a technical sketch/ drawing", and send a sample of each model along with at least 1 square metre of each fabric. The fees show it is a serious process: 1,000 euros per swimsuit model, and 375 euros for each fabric used.

Approved suits carry a mark. World Aquatics publishes a "Homologation Mark" supplement to its regulations, and both brands label approved products. Arena's site, for example, tags qualifying suits "FINA approved", using the federation's former name.

The practical check before a sanctioned meet: look for the approval mark on the suit, or find the model on World Aquatics' list.

Training, racing and everyday ranges

Both brands sell more than race suits.

Arena sorts its women's range into one-piece suits, two-piece suits, shaping suits, racing suits, triathlon and open water, and rash guards, and labels recycled fabrics. Its men's range includes briefs, shorts and jammers. Its racing suits sit under the Powerskin name, with lines including Powerskin Veloce, Primo, Impulso and ST Next. Check delivery to Australia when you order from its global store.

Speedo sells in Australia through its own Australian site, with separate sections for women, men and kids, and an outlet section for discounted stock.

For training, both make chlorine-resistant suits. A swimmer who trains several times a week needs one that holds its shape through daily pool use, which is a different job from a race suit worn a few times a season. Our guide to chlorine-resistant togs for lap swimming covers training suits in detail, and boys' togs in Australia covers younger swimmers.

Outdoor pools and the sun

Much Australian training happens in outdoor pools, and a race suit covers little skin. Cancer Council Australia's advice on sun-protective clothing is to cover "as much skin as possible" when the UV is 3 or above, and it notes that fabric "offers less protection from UV radiation when wet." A rash guard between sets and on the pool deck helps. The federal government's 2023 summer campaign targeted men over 40, noting that men are "twice as likely than women to die from melanoma", which is worth knowing for masters swimmers.

Side by side

Making the call

The national team deal is a commercial agreement, and it has changed before. Speedo held it until 2016. It is not a verdict on which suit is faster. Two of Australia's top swimmers raced in Speedo at the last Olympics while the team kit was Arena.

For a race suit, try both brands' approved racing suits and buy the one that fits best, then check it is on World Aquatics' list. For training, choose a chlorine-resistant suit from either brand. Choose Arena if you want to wear what the national team wears.

Where to buy

Speedo sells through Speedo Australia, with its outlet for discounts, and through swim shops. Arena sells through its global store and specialist swim retailers. For other Australian labels, see our guide to Australian swimwear brands.

References

• SwimSwam: Swimming Australia extends partnership with arena through LA 2028
• Swimming Australia: Swimming Australia and arena unveil partnership extension
• World Aquatics: Approved swimwear
• Arena: Competition swimwear
• Speedo Australia: Men
• Speedo Australia: Women
• Speedo Australia: Kids
• Speedo Australia: Outlet
• Cancer Council Australia: Sun protective clothing
• Australian Government health ministers: Men the focus of summer skin cancer prevention campaign (20 November 2023)