Fast lanes, loud cheers, and results that reset the standard for youth swimming in Malaysia!

Aqua Champs League Fest (ACLF) 2026 returned in full force, marking a standout moment as 660 medals were awarded to swimmers of all ages, celebrating effort, talent and determination across every heat.

Held at MAZ International School, Shah Alam, recently this June 2026, the festival brought together young athletes, families, media, Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), brand partners and the wider parenting community for a full day that blended competition with connection. From poolside cheers to proud finishes, ACLF 2026 turned a sporting event into a shared celebration of youth, family and achievement.

Co-organised by Parenthood Media and Swimin12, ACLF has grown from Swimin12’s long-running Sports Day legacy into one of Malaysia’s most anticipated family aquatic events. Now in its second edition under the ACLF name, the festival continues to build on nine years of community-driven swimming development, combining competitive races with youth leadership, inclusivity and family engagement.

This year’s record-breaking title marked a defining moment for ACLF, placing the event in the national spotlight as a platform that celebrates not only athletic performance, but also the effort, discipline and confidence of young swimmers.

A Double Parenthood Records Presentation

A key highlight of ACLF 2026 is the live presentation of two Parenthood Records titles on stage.

The first title is awarded to Aqua Champs League Fest for achieving the Most Medals Awarded in a Swimming Competition in Malaysia, with 660 medals presented across the competition.

The second Parenthood Records presentation recognises Ethan Leiu Shi Chen, also known as DJ Ethan, as the Youngest DJ in Malaysia to Perform at a Large-Scale Music Festival. At just nine years old, DJ Ethan made history through his live performance at Rain Rave Water Festival 2026, held in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, from 1 to 3 May 2026, where he performed before 80,000 attendees.

Together, the two recognitions reflect Parenthood Records’ mission to document meaningful achievements by children, youth, families, brands and communities across Malaysia.

A Festival Built Around Youth, Sports and Inclusivity

Following its successful 2025 edition, which welcomed 298 participants, 200 volunteers, and over 800 attendees, ACLF 2026 saw continued growth, achieving its target with 350 swimmers and 220 youth volunteers.

The competition was open to young swimmers aged 4 to 17, with an additional open category for adults aged 18 and above. Race categories spanned 15M to 100M across multiple swimming disciplines, including freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly.

Inclusivity remained a core part of the ACLF mission, featuring dedicated categories for swimmers with special needs. This ensured that children of different abilities were allowed to participate, compete, and be celebrated in a supportive environment.

This year’s “Battle of the Realms: Ninja vs Wizard” theme added a fun and immersive layer to the festival, creating a more engaging experience for children and families beyond the pool. ACLF also continued to empower young people through event operations, volunteer roles, and digital content creation, following Swimin12’s previous recognition by the Malaysia Book of Records for the Most Children in a Swimming Competition Organising Committee.

Strong Brand Support and Family-Focused Experiences

ACLF 2026 expanded its experiential footprint this year by collaborating with top-tier brands to create a fully integrated, modern family marketplace. Visitors explored an array of custom vendor booths opened by leading names to promote their specialised products and services directly to Malaysian parents. To bring even greater value to attending households, several of these partners also stepped out of their booths to deliver highly informative, live educational brand talks on-site throughout the day.

The festival is backed by a powerhouse lineup of industry leaders:

• Main Sponsors: PediaSure®, Asiapools, and Speedo
• Official Sponsors: Cambridge English for Life (CEFL), Ddrops, Red Rescue, Budget Film Academy (BFA), Little Étoile, DJs Playground Academy, and KPJ Rawang Specialist Hospital
• Corporate Partners: ATAG, Tiger Family Malaysia, MIDP Youth Institute, Riinse, Aqina Farm, Deemcee, and RHB Bank

In a spectacular showcase of youth empowerment, Deemcee, the premier public speaking centre, had its talented young students represent each sponsor brand as official brand spokespersons throughout the event. Additionally, Parenthood’s own community platform, KitaParents, opened up a dedicated booth on the day, where a lineup of exciting activities took place for attending families.

Over RM20,000 Worth of Lucky Draw Prizes

Families who attended ACLF 2026 were also able to take part in the event’s Station Passport journey, visiting participating booths and completing activities for a chance to win lucky draw prizes totalling up to RM20,000.

The biggest prize of the day is a 3D2N stay at The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa in a Two-Bedroom Ocean View Suite, valued at RM7,800.

Other prizes included premium staycation and dining packages from Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel & Convention Centre and Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, City Centre, an ultimate family birthday and entertainment package from GSC, ergonomic premium school bags from Tiger Family, and special retail shopping vouchers from Ddrops.

Celebrating the Future of Youth Aquatics

As ACLF continues to grow, the event remains committed to nurturing young talent, promoting healthy lifestyles and creating meaningful opportunities for children to build confidence through sports. By bringing together athletes, families, educators, volunteers and industry partners, ACLF serves as a platform that champions youth development, inclusivity and community engagement.

The record-breaking achievement at ACLF 2026 reflects the collective efforts of organisers, participants, supporters and partners in advancing grassroots aquatic sports in Malaysia. Through initiatives that recognise participation, perseverance and excellence, ACLF aims to inspire more children to embrace swimming and pursue their potential both in and out of the pool.

For more information, event details and full guidelines, visit aclf.parenthood.my.