The World Surf League (WSL) has announced significant changes to its Championship Tour (CT) format, effective 2026. The highly debated "Final 5" one-day surf-off will be scrapped, and the iconic Pipe Masters in Hawaii will return as the season-ending event, where world champions will be crowned based on cumulative points.
WSL Reverts to Cumulative Ranking System
After five years, the WSL is moving away from the "Final 5" format, which saw the top five surfers compete in a single-day, winner-take-all event at Lower Trestles. Starting in 2026, world champions will once again be determined by a cumulative points system across the entire season. This decision comes after extensive feedback from surfers and fans, many of whom preferred the traditional format that rewarded consistent performance throughout the year.
- The "Final 5" format, implemented in 2021, will be discontinued.
- World champions will be crowned based on cumulative points from 12 events.
Pipeline Returns as Season Finale
In a move celebrated by many in the surfing community, the Pipe Masters at Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore will reclaim its position as the final event of the CT season. This marks a return to tradition, as Pipeline previously served as the men’s season-ender until 2019. For the first time, the women’s world champion will also be decided at this legendary break.
- Pipe Masters will be the season-ending event for both men and women.
- The event will award 15,000 points, 1.5 times more than standard CT events, making it highly consequential.
Revamped 2026 Championship Tour Schedule
The 2026 CT season will feature a 12-stop schedule, running from April to December. The tour will kick off in Australia, with events at Bells Beach, Margaret River, and Snapper Rocks. The controversial mid-season cut has been softened, occurring after the ninth event at Lower Trestles. The field will then be narrowed for two "postseason" events before the full CT fields return for the Pipe Masters finale.
Key changes to the schedule and format include:
- Season Start: April, beginning in Australia.
- Regular Season: Nine events, with 36 men and 24 women.
- Mid-Season Adjustment: After the ninth event, the field narrows to 24 men and 16 women for two "postseason" events.
- Final Event: All surfers rejoin for the Pipe Masters, with the top eight seeded deeper in the draw.
- Non-Elimination Rounds: Removed from all CT events to streamline competition.
Surfer and Fan Feedback Drives Change
WSL CEO Ryan Crosby stated that the changes were a direct result of feedback from surfers and fans. The aim is to create a tour that balances a high-stakes finale with a comprehensive season-long title race. Surfers like Kelly Slater, Steph Gilmore, and John John Florence have expressed enthusiasm for the new format, particularly the elevated role of Pipeline.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 season will mark the 50th year of professional surfing, and these format adjustments are intended to usher in a new era for the sport. The WSL has also acquired the intellectual property rights to the Pipe Masters title from Vans, further solidifying its commitment to the event’s legacy. These changes are expected to enhance the competitive integrity and excitement of the Championship Tour for years to come.
Sources
- [World Surf League admits horrible mistake, drops "final five" and moves Pipeline back to season ender in ’26!
- BeachGrit](https://beachgrit.com/2025/05/world-surf-league-admits-horrible-mistake-drops-final-five-and-moves-pipeline-back-to-season-ender/), BeachGrit.
- How Will the World Surf League’s ‘Final 5’ World Titles Be Viewed Over Time?, The Inertia.
- Pipeline to return as WSL finale with one-day decider scrapped for 2026 | Surfing, The Guardian.
- World Surf League revamps Championship Tour format, putting Pipe Masters in the spotlight, NBC Sports.
- World Surf League Scraps Final 5 Format, Will End Season at Pipeline in 2026, The Inertia.
