The World Surf League (WSL) has unveiled a significant overhaul of its Championship Tour (CT) format and schedule for 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of professional surfing. The changes include the return of the iconic Pipe Masters as the season-ending event, an expanded women’s field, and a revamped competitive structure designed to increase stakes from the outset.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 CT will feature 12 events, culminating at the Pipe Masters in Hawaii.
- A new cumulative rankings format replaces the previous "Final Five" system.
- The women’s field expands to 24 surfers.
- Non-elimination rounds are removed, making every heat crucial.
- The Pipe Masters will offer 1.5 times the points of a standard event.
A New Era for the Championship Tour
Starting in April 2026, the CT will kick off with 12 events across nine countries, concluding in December. This new structure aims to honor surfing’s legacy while shaping its future. WSL CEO Ryan Crosby stated, "With the updated formats, we’ll see higher stakes from day one, with every heat carrying real consequence throughout the season."
The season will consist of nine regular-season events, followed by two "postseason" events in Abu Dhabi and Portugal. Following these, the entire field will reconvene for the Pipe Masters, where the World Champions will be crowned.
Expanded Field and Revamped Format
The majority of the season will feature 36 men and 24 women. However, after the ninth event, the field will narrow to 24 men and 16 women for the two postseason stops. A surfer’s best seven out of nine regular-season results will count towards their qualification for the postseason. The final World Titles will be determined by a surfer’s best nine out of 12 results across the entire season.
Crucially, non-elimination rounds have been removed from all events. This means that every heat will have direct consequences on a surfer’s ranking, increasing the pressure and excitement from the very first wave.
Pipeline’s Pinnacle Role
The return of the Pipe Masters as the season finale is a major highlight. This iconic location will host the final showdown, with the event offering 15,000 points – 1.5 times the points of a standard CT event. The top eight men and women heading into Pipeline will receive advanced seeding, ensuring a dramatic and high-stakes conclusion to the World Title race.
2026 Championship Tour Schedule
- Stop 1: Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia (April 1-11)
- Stop 2: Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia (April 17-27)
- Stop 3: Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia (May 2-12)
- Stop 4: Punta Roca, El Salvador (May 28 – June 7)
- Stop 5: Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (June 12-20)
- Stop 6: Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (July 10-20)
- Stop 7: Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia (August 8-18)
- Stop 8: Cloudbreak, Fiji (August 25 – September 4)
- Stop 9: Lower Trestles, San Clemente, Calif., USA (September 11-20)
- Stop 10: Surf Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE (October 14-18) – Postseason
- Stop 11: Peniche, Portugal (October 22 – November 1) – Postseason
- Stop 12: Banzai Pipeline, Hawaiʻi, USA (December 8-20) – Pipe Masters Finale
These changes signal a new chapter for professional surfing, blending tradition with innovation to create a more compelling and consequential tour for athletes and fans alike.
Sources
- World Surf League Releases 2026 Championship Tour Schedule and Formats, World Surf League.
- 2026 Championship Tour Schedule and Formats, World Surf League.
- World Surf League Announces Return to Pipeline for Championship Tour Finale Starting in 2026, World Surf League.
- Breaking: World Surf League Unveils Game-Changing 2026 Schedule, SURFER Magazine.
- World Surf League revamps Championship Tour format, putting Pipe Masters in the spotlight, NBC Sports.
