Sunderland Aquatic Centre will close its pools to the public on two Saturdays this summer to host competitive swimming galas. The Everyone Active-operated venue has confirmed the full pool closures will take place on 20 June 2026 and 4 July 2026, with the facility also shut on Sunday 5 July 2026.
The closures mean that no public swimming sessions or lessons will run on those days. The centre posted the gala information online in January, giving months of notice ahead of the first summer shutdown. As the only full Olympic-standard pool in the North East between Glasgow and Leeds, the Stadium Park venue is a regular host for regional competitive events that require exclusive use of its 50-metre pool.
Anyone needing a swim on those dates can use one of four nearby facilities. Silksworth Community Pool, Washington Leisure Centre, Hetton Community Pool, and Raich Carter Sports Centre will remain open as usual. The Sunderland Aquatic Centre is owned by the city council and operated by Everyone Active, having opened in April 2008 at a cost of £19.8 million.
Details of the gala closures and alternative venues are listed on the Everyone Active website.
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