WSL Unveils 2026/27 Challenger Series and New QS 6,000 International Events

The World Surf League announces the 2026/27 Challenger Series schedule and the introduction of new QS 6,000 International events, outlining the pathway to the 2027 Championship Tour.

WSL Unveils 2026/27 Challenger Series and New QS 6,000 International Events

The World Surf League (WSL) has announced its schedule for the 2026/27 Challenger Series (CS) and introduced a new category of Qualifying Series (QS) 6,000 International events. These platforms will serve as the primary pathways for surfers aiming to qualify for the elite Championship Tour (CT) in 2027.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026/27 Challenger Series will feature five events across five countries from July 2026 to March 2027.
  • A new series of QS 6,000 International events will offer additional opportunities for surfers to earn points.
  • The top 10 men and top 6 women from the CS will qualify for the 2027 Championship Tour.

2026/27 Challenger Series Schedule

The Challenger Series remains the crucial proving ground for surfers aspiring to join the CT. For the upcoming season, the CS will consist of five events held in diverse locations: South Africa, California (USA), Brazil, Portugal, and Newcastle (Australia). These events will run from July 2026 through March 2027.

2026/27 Challenger Series Dates and Locations:

  • Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: July 12 – 18, 2026
  • Huntington Beach, California, USA: July 27 – August 2, 2026
  • São Sebastião, Brazil: September 26 – October 3, 2026
  • Ericeira, Portugal: October 6 – 12, 2026
  • Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia: March 1 – 7, 2027

Athletes from the seven WSL Regions will compete, with the top 10 men and top 6 women on the CS leaderboard at the season's end earning spots on the 2027 Championship Tour.

New QS 6,000 International Events

Introducing a significant expansion to the competitive structure, the WSL is launching QS 6,000 International events. These events will award 6,000 ranking points and be open to international competitors, providing more opportunities at world-class surf breaks. Top seeds from each region will gain entry.

Competitors' points earned at these events will count towards both their CS rankings and their Regional QS rankings. Regional surfers from the host nation will have the result count towards their respective regional standings. These new events will typically run for seven to nine days, featuring a men's field of 144 and a women's field of 80.

Confirmed 2026 QS 6,000 International Events:

  • Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: September 14 – 20, 2026
  • Cloud 9, Siargao, Philippines: October 16 – 25, 2026
  • Jinzun Harbor, Taitung County, Taiwan: November 14 – 22, 2026

Travis Logie, WSL Senior Tour Manager for the Challenger Series, expressed excitement about the talent emerging and the added opportunities these new events provide. Will Hayden-Smith, Director of Regional Tours, highlighted that these events offer CS surfers chances to compete in new locations and give regional QS competitors a taste of CS-level competition.

Sources