The World Surf League (WSL) has announced the schedule and revamped event formats for the 2026 Championship Tour (CT), marking the 50th anniversary of professional surfing. The milestone season will feature 12 events, including nine regular-season stops and two postseason events, culminating in a reimagined Pipe Masters finale at the iconic Banzai Pipeline in Hawaiʻi.
“These changes reflect our commitment to honoring surfing’s legacy while continuing to shape its future as the sport enters its 50th year,” said Ryan Crosby, WSL CEO. “With the updated formats, we’ll see higher stakes from day one, with every heat carrying real consequence throughout the season. Combined with iconic locations, the expanded women’s field, and Pipeline as the pinnacle, we’re building a Tour that better serves our athletes and fans, and leads the sport into its next chapter.”
A Global Tour Across Iconic Surf Destinations
The 2026 CT will span nine months and nine countries, showcasing a diverse mix of surf breaks. From the heavy barrels of Pipeline, Cloudbreak, and Teahupo’o to high-performance waves at Lower Trestles, Punta Roca, and Abu Dhabi, the schedule promises a thrilling World Title race. The season kicks off at Bells Beach, Australia, on April 1, and concludes with the high-stakes Pipe Masters in December.
THIAGO DIZ/WORLD SURF LEAGUE
HUDAYRIYAT ISLAND, ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 13: Lineup during a practice session prior to the commencement of the Opening Round at the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro on February 13, 2025 at Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
2026 Championship Tour Schedule:
- Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia: April 1–11
- Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: April 17–27
- Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia: May 2–12
- Punta Roca, El Salvador: May 28–June 7
- Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: June 12–20
- Jeffreys Bay, South Africa: July 10–20
- Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia: August 8–18
- Cloudbreak, Fiji: August 25–September 4
- Lower Trestles, San Clemente, Calif., USA: September 11–20*
- Surf Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE: October 14–18**
- Peniche, Portugal: October 22–November 1
- Banzai Pipeline, Hawaiʻi, USA: December 8–20***
*Last regular-season event**Start of postseason, reduced field***Full CT fields rejoin postseason surfers to compete for Pipe Masters Titles
The expanded women’s field will feature 24 competitors, up from 18 in previous seasons, while the men’s field will include 36 surfers. After the ninth stop at Lower Trestles, the Tour will narrow to 24 men and 16 women for the postseason events in Abu Dhabi and Portugal. The season will conclude with all competitors returning for the Pipe Masters, where the World Titles will be decided.
Revamped Formats Raise the Stakes
The 2026 season introduces a reimagined competition format, eliminating non-elimination rounds to ensure every heat carries significant weight. Regular-season events will feature head-to-head heats, with surfers advancing through a fixed-bracket system. Postseason events and the Pipe Masters will follow similar formats, with slight adjustments to accommodate the reduced fields.
For the regular season, the men’s field will include 32 qualified surfers, two season wildcards, and two event wildcards, while the women’s field will feature 21 qualified surfers, two season wildcards, and one event wildcard. The postseason will see the top 24 men and 16 women compete for critical points ahead of the Pipe Masters finale.
The Pipe Masters, long regarded as one of the most prestigious events in surfing, will take on even greater significance in 2026. With 15,000 points on offer—1.5 times the amount of a standard CT event—the season finale will play a pivotal role in determining the World Champions. The top eight men and women heading into the event will be seeded deep in the draw, setting the stage for dramatic title-deciding moments at the sport’s most revered location.
A Milestone Year for Surfing
The 50th anniversary of professional surfing is set to be a landmark season, blending the sport’s rich history with a forward-looking vision. The WSL’s commitment to innovation is evident in the expanded women’s field, the diverse global schedule, and the heightened stakes of the new formats.
“The 2026 season is primed to deliver a thrilling World Title race from start to finish,” said Crosby. “With every heat carrying real consequence, and the world’s best surfers competing at some of the most iconic locations, we’re elevating the sport to new heights.”
As the 2025 season nears its conclusion, with the Lexus Tahiti Pro and the Lexus WSL Finals in Fiji still to come, anticipation is already building for the 2026 Championship Tour. With its blend of tradition and innovation, the upcoming season promises to be a fitting celebration of surfing’s golden anniversary.
