The World Surf League (WSL) has announced a significant overhaul of its Championship Tour (CT) format, effective 2026. The most notable change is the return of the iconic Pipe Masters in Hawaii as the season-ending event, replacing the controversial ‘Final 5’ one-day surf-off. This decision, influenced by extensive surfer and fan feedback, aims to restore the prestige of a cumulative rankings system and culminate the season at surfing’s most revered location.
WSL Reverts to Cumulative Rankings, Scraps Final 5
In a move that signals a return to tradition, the WSL will abandon the ‘Final 5′ format, which determined world champions through a single-day surf-off. Instead, the 2026 season will crown champions based on a cumulative points system, where surfers’ best nine of 12 results will count towards their final ranking. This change addresses widespread criticism that the ‘Final 5’ diminished the significance of a full season’s performance.
- The ‘Final 5’ format, implemented in 2021, will be discontinued after the 2025 season.
- World champions will be determined by a cumulative points total from 12 events.
Pipeline Returns as Season Finale
The Pipe Masters, a legendary event held at Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore, will once again serve as the grand finale of the CT season. This marks a significant shift, as Pipeline previously opened the season. The event will carry increased weight, awarding 15,000 points—1.5 times more than standard CT events—making it the most consequential stop on tour. For the first time, the Pipe Masters will also be the season-ending event for women.
Streamlined Format and Expanded Fields
The revamped CT will feature a 12-stop schedule, running from April to December, starting in Australia and concluding in Hawaii. Key changes include:
- No Non-Elimination Rounds: All CT events will adopt a streamlined format, removing non-elimination rounds to increase stakes and optimize for better wave conditions.
- Mid-Season Cut Softened: The controversial mid-season cut will now occur after the ninth tour stop at Lower Trestles, narrowing the field from 36 men and 24 women to 24 men and 16 women for two ‘postseason’ events. The full fields will return for the Pipe Masters.
- Expanded Women’s Field: The women’s CT field will expand from 18 to 24 surfers in 2026, offering more opportunities and global representation.
- Seeding Advantage: The top eight men and women entering the Pipe Masters will receive deeper seeding in the draw, providing a competitive advantage.
Surfer and Fan Feedback Drives Changes
WSL CEO Ryan Crosby stated that the changes were a direct result of extensive feedback from surfers and fans. The desire to conclude the season at surfing’s most iconic wave and to re-emphasize a full season’s performance were central to the decision-making process. Surfers like Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore, and John John Florence have expressed enthusiasm for the new format, particularly the elevated role of Pipeline.
2026 Championship Tour Schedule Overview:
| Event Number | Location |
|---|---|
| CT1 | Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia |
| CT2 | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia |
| CT3 | Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia |
| CT4 | Punta Roca, El Salvador |
| CT5 | Saquarema, Brazil |
| CT6 | Jeffreys Bay, South Africa |
| CT7 | Teahupo’o, Tahiti |
| CT8 | Cloudbreak, Fiji |
| CT9 | Lower Trestles, Calif., USA |
| CT10 | Surf Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| CT11 | Peniche, Portugal |
| CT12 | Pipe Masters, Hawai‘i, USA |
These changes aim to honor the sport’s history while evolving the tour to deliver more compelling competition and defining moments for world titles.
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.
