Welcome Home: World Aquatics Breaks Ground on Future Headquarters in Budapest
World Aquatics starts its landmark development in Budapest’s 13th District with its new global headquarters.
The privately funded project is developed by Southblaze Ltd., which is creating a complex worthy of serving as the international centre of aquatic sports. Covering nearly 20,000 square meters, the facility will include a world-class training centre, athlete accommodations, office functions, and the federation’s headquarters. From this new base, World Aquatics will oversee the worldwide governance of swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving.
The goal is to create a timeless, multifunctional complex that reflects both the spirit of the Hungarian nation and World Aquatics – blending tradition and innovation, past and present, in the service of a sustainable future.
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“It is an honour that World Aquatics has chosen to relocate its headquarters to Hungary – this is a tremendous recognition for our country,” said Péter Zentai, founder, owner, and CEO of Southblaze Ltd. The relocation agreement between the Hungarian State and World Aquatics was signed in 2023, along with the approval of the initial concept design. Since then, Southblaze Ltd. has reimagined and refined the plans, with particular emphasis on the façade: the original LED solution has been replaced with a more modern concept that better reflects Hungarian architectural values and national traditions. |
The updated concept has received the support of the 13th District Municipality, the Budapest Municipality, and the Hungarian State, and is one of the few projects also endorsed by the National Architectural Planning Council. The development is closely aligned with the Budapest 2030 Urban Development Concept, which aims to strengthen the capital’s international role, foster sustainable districts, and enhance Budapest’s position as a centre for sport and culture.
Beyond its sporting significance, the project also represents an economic milestone. Budapest has already hosted numerous prestigious aquatic events, but with this development, the city will become the everyday administrative and decision-making centre of aquatic sports. This will open new opportunities for Hungarian sport, increase international attention on the country, and generate long-term economic, tourism and professional synergies in the decades ahead.
The new headquarters is expected to be completed by mid-2028.
A further distinctive feature of the project is that the World Aquatics headquarters will be part of the Láng Quarter Project, also developed by Southblaze Ltd. In addition to the headquarters and a two-hectare park, the district will feature modern, sustainable residential and office buildings. Designed in line with the innovative “15-minute city” urban concept, residential property sales in the new neighbourhood are scheduled to begin later this year.
