The World Surf League (WSL) is set to revolutionize its Championship Tour (CT) format starting in 2026, with a significant shift that places the iconic Pipe Masters at the culmination of the season. This strategic move aims to enhance the competitive landscape and elevate the prestige of the world title race, responding to feedback from both surfers and fans.
WSL Revamps Championship Tour: Pipe Masters to Crown World Champions
- The Pipe Masters will become the season-ending event for both men and women, determining the annual world champions.
- The controversial "Final 5" one-day surf-off format, implemented in 2021, will be discontinued.
- The new format will feature a cumulative rankings system, combining regular season results with high-stakes postseason events.
- Non-elimination rounds will be removed from all CT events to speed up competition.
- The women’s CT field will expand from 18 to 24 surfers.
A New Era for Professional Surfing
Starting in 2026, which marks the 50th year of professional surfing, the CT will feature a 12-stop schedule. This includes nine regular season events, followed by two postseason events, culminating in the Pipe Masters in December.
Key Changes to the Format:
- Regular Season: Nine events with 36 men and 24 women competing.
- Postseason Events: The field will be narrowed to 24 men and 16 women for two events in Portugal and Abu Dhabi. These events will determine seeding for the Pipe Masters.
- Pipe Masters Finale: The full regular season fields will rejoin for the Pipe Masters, which will award 1.5 times the ranking points of standard CT events, ensuring a high-stakes conclusion.
World champions will be determined by a cumulative ranking based on surfers’ top seven of nine regular season results, plus the results from the two postseason events and the Pipe Masters. This means the best nine results out of 12 will count towards the final ranking.
The Return to Pipeline’s Glory
WSL CEO Ryan Crosby emphasized the significance of returning the final event 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 sentiment is echoed by surfing legends like Kelly Slater, who noted, "Putting Pipe back where it belongs on the CT, with added weight, honors the past while setting up something really special for the future."
This format change is also expected to impact Olympic qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, with the 2027 Pipe Masters potentially serving as a crucial selection event for top surfers.
2026 Championship Tour Schedule Highlights
The revamped schedule will kick off in April in Australia and conclude at Pipeline in December. Notable locations include:
- Bells Beach, Australia
- Margaret River, Australia
- Snapper Rocks, Australia
- Punta Roca, El Salvador
- Saquarema, Brazil
- Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
- Teahupo’o, Tahiti
- Cloudbreak, Fiji
- Lower Trestles, USA (End of regular season)
- Surf Abu Dhabi, UAE (Postseason)
- Peniche, Portugal (Postseason)
- Pipe Masters, Hawai‘i, USA (Finale)
