WSL 2026 Championship Tour: Full Schedule and New Format Unveiled
The World Surf League (WSL) has announced the exciting 2026 Championship Tour, celebrating a milestone 50th anniversary. This revamped tour features a comprehensive 12-stop schedule, showcasing both men’s and women’s competitions across various global surf spots. The newly formatted season will span from April to December, starting in Australia and culminating with the Pipe Masters in Hawaii.
Key Features of the 2026 Championship Tour
For the first time in WSL history, men and women will compete on a fully integrated schedule. The tour will include:
- 36 male surfers and 24 female surfers during the regular season.
- A reduction to 24 men and 16 women for the final events.
- World Titles determined by each surfer’s top nine results out of twelve.
WSL CEO Ryan Crosby expressed enthusiasm for the updated format, emphasizing the excitement surrounding this milestone year. Notably, Raglan, New Zealand, will be introduced as a new stop, enhancing the tour’s diversity.
Australian Leg Kicking Off the Tour
The tour begins with three consecutive events in Australia:
- Bells Beach, Victoria: April 1-11
- Margaret River, Western Australia: April 16-26
- Snapper Rocks, Queensland: May 1-11
New Zealand’s Historic Debut
Raglan will be stop four on the schedule, running from May 15-25 at Manu Bay, a renowned left-hand point break. This event will mark the largest surfing competition ever held in New Zealand. The “Backdoor King and Queen of the Point” trials will be conducted earlier in May, granting wildcards to the top performers.
2025 WSL World Champion Yago Dora and Women’s Champion Molly Picklum have both praised the addition of a left-hand wave, highlighting its significance for competitive surfing.
Centrally Located Surf Destinations
The tour will continue to Central America and South America, featuring stops at:
- Punta Roca, El Salvador: June 5-15
- Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: June 19-27
Pacific Islands Excursion
In August, the competition shifts to the Pacific Islands:
- Teahupo’o, Tahiti: August 8-18
- Cloudbreak, Fiji: August 25 to September 4
North American and Middle Eastern Events
The latter part of the season consists of:
- Lower Trestles, California: September 11-20 – the last event of the regular season
- Surf Abu Dhabi, UAE: October 14-18 – with a reduced field of competitors
- Peniche, Portugal: October 22 to November 1 – featuring a similar reduced field
Grand Finale at Pipe Masters
The season will wrap up at the iconic Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii from December 8-20. This event promises to be a thrilling championship finale, showcasing the full talent pool competing for the distinguished Pipe Masters title.
2026 WSL Championship Tour Full Schedule
| Stop | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia | April 1-11 |
| 2 | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | April 16-26 |
| 3 | Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia | May 1-11 |
| 4 | Raglan, New Zealand | May 15-25 |
| 5 | Punta Roca, El Salvador | June 5-15 |
| 6 | Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | June 19-27 |
| 7 | Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia | August 8-18 |
| 8 | Cloudbreak, Fiji | August 25 to September 4 |
| 9 | Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California, USA | September 11-20 |
| 10 | Surf Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE | October 14-18 |
| 11 | Peniche, Portugal | October 22 to November 1 |
| 12 | Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii, USA | December 8-20 |
With this new schedule, the WSL aims to deliver thrilling competitions and elevate the sport of surfing to new heights. Fans can look forward to an exciting season in 2026!
