Outdoor swimming pools break visitor record
Graz’s swimming pools can look back on an exceptionally successful 2026 season: a total of 447,862 visitors were recorded across the six municipal (open-air) swimming pools. This not only significantly exceeded the previous year’s figure, but also broke the previous visitor record set in 2024.
Compared with 2025, which saw 354,440 visitors, this represents an increase of 93,422 visitors, or 26 per cent. The previous record year, 2024, with 414,593 visitors, was also left far behind by 33,269 visitors, or 8 per cent.
The season was particularly strong in June, July and August. In June, 139,172 visitors were recorded; in July, 109,890; and in August, 120,591. The start of the season in May was also strong, with 56,657 bathers. In September, a further 21,552 visitors came to Graz’s outdoor swimming pools.
Record day on 28 June
The absolute highlight of the season was 28 June 2026: on this day, a total of more than 15,500 people visited Graz’s outdoor swimming pools – more than on any other day of the season.
The Straßgang swimming pool also recorded its busiest single day on 28 June. Just under 5,200 visitors were counted there on that day.
All six of Graz’s swimming pools contributed to the outstanding seasonal results:
- Auster: 144,879 visitors
- Straßgang: 118,499 visitors
- Margarethen: 58,940 visitors
- Augarten: 57,367 visitors
- Stukitz: 36,516 visitors
- Bad zur Sonne: 31,661 visitors
This new record figure demonstrates the enduring importance of Graz’s swimming pools as venues for sport, relaxation and cooling off. The figures also highlight the strong demand for the city’s swimming pools during the summer months.
