A record number of swimmers and countries will arrive in Dubai on Wednesday ahead of the final leg of the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup.

Over 440 swimmers from 56 countries will compete at the Hamdan Sports Complex on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November after the penultimate leg in Doha comes to an end.

– UAE: Skater heads for desert

They will be joined by a further 350 club swimmers as rules allow host federations to have locals taking part.

Teams from Australia, Great Britain, USA, Russia, Hungary, China, Italy and South Africa will compete in Dubai along with developing nations including Syria, Nepal, Lebanon, Tanzania, Sudan and Oman.

The results from the first day’s competition in Doha have set the stage for some exciting showdowns this weekend as many of the swimmers heading here featured in the medals. 

Overall leaders Katinka Hosszu of Hungary and South Africa's Cameron van der Burgh collected more medals and points, ensuring they will also collect the $100,000 overall prize at the conclusion of the Dubai event.

Last year’s overall winner and a crowd favourite in Dubai, Chad Le Clos took three golds on the first night of competition, while Australian world Champion backstroker Mitch Larkin won the 100m in a brilliant performance. 

This weekend's events will kick off with an autograph signing on Wednesday 4 November at the new GO Sports store in Mall of the Emirates at 7pm, where fans can meet World Championships medallists including Emily Seebohm, Adam Peaty, James Guy and Jaz Carlin of Great Britain, plus Lauren Boyle, Van der Burgh and Tom Shields of the USA.

The action in the pool starts on Friday with the heats at 9.30am. In the afternoon a Children’s Swimming Gala will be held for local swimmers, before the finals at 6pm. The schedule is repeated on Saturday.

Tickets are 50dhs per day and are available at the door, entry for children under 12 is free.