The World Surf League (WSL) has announced a significant overhaul of its Championship Tour (CT) format, set to commence in 2026. The most impactful change sees the iconic Pipe Masters event returning as the season-ending finale, where world champions will be crowned on Oahu’s North Shore. This move marks a return to tradition for the sport’s most prestigious waves and a pivotal moment in the WSL’s 50th anniversary year.
Key Takeaways
- The Pipe Masters will serve as the final event of the WSL Championship Tour starting in 2026.
- The tour will adopt a cumulative rankings format, with the final standings determined by a surfer’s best nine out of twelve results.
- The Pipe Masters will award 1.5 times the points of standard CT events, significantly increasing its importance.
- Non-elimination rounds will be removed from all CT events, raising the stakes from the outset.
- The women’s CT field will expand to 24 surfers in 2026.
A New Era for the Championship Tour
Starting in 2026, the WSL Championship Tour will feature a 12-stop schedule running from April to December. The season will kick off in Australia and conclude in Hawaii with the Pipe Masters. This new structure aims to combine the depth of a full-season title race with the excitement of a high-stakes finale. The tour will consist of nine regular-season events, followed by two postseason events in Portugal and Abu Dhabi, culminating at Pipeline.
Format Evolution and Increased Stakes
The revamped format will see surfers carry their best seven of nine results from the regular season into the postseason. The final rankings, and thus the world titles, will be determined by a surfer’s best nine out of the total twelve events. Notably, the Pipe Masters will award 1.5 times the points of a standard CT event, making it the most crucial stop on the tour. The top eight men and women heading into Pipeline will receive an advantage with deeper seeding in the competition draw. Furthermore, all CT events will eliminate non-elimination rounds, meaning surfers are out of the event once they lose a heat.
Pipeline’s Iconic Return
WSL CEO Ryan Crosby expressed enthusiasm for bringing the season finale back to Pipeline, stating, "Pipeline has always held a special place in surfing history, and our fans have made it clear they want to see our sport’s most critical moments unfold there." This decision is a direct response to surfer and fan feedback, aiming to create more meaningful consequences and defining moments in the world title race. The agreement also includes Vans transferring the intellectual property rights for the Pipe Masters title to the WSL, with Vans serving as the exclusive footwear and apparel partner for the event.
Expanding Opportunities
In addition to the format changes, the women’s CT field will expand from 18 to 24 surfers in 2026, providing more opportunities and greater global representation. The 2026 schedule includes renowned surf spots such as Bells Beach, Margaret River, Snapper Rocks in Australia, Punta Roca in El Salvador, Saquarema in Brazil, Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, Teahupo’o in Tahiti, Cloudbreak in Fiji, and Lower Trestles in California, alongside the new stops in Abu Dhabi and Peniche.
Sources
- World Surf League revamps Championship Tour format, putting Pipe Masters in the spotlight, NBC Sports.
- World Surf League Announces Return to Pipeline for Championship Tour Finale Starting in 2026, World Surf League.
- World Surf League’s Championship Tour will end at Pipeline, Spectrum News.
