The World Surf League (WSL) has announced significant changes to its Championship Tour (CT) for 2026, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of professional surfing. The revamped schedule and formats aim to increase stakes from the outset, honor surfing’s legacy, and provide a more compelling experience for athletes and fans. Key changes include the return of Pipeline as the season-ending event with increased point value and the elimination of the "Final Five" and mid-season cut formats.
Key Takeaways
- 12 Events Across 9 Countries: The 2026 CT will feature a global schedule spanning nine months.
- Pipeline as the Grand Finale: The iconic Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii will host the season-ending Pipe Masters, carrying 1.5 times the points of a standard event.
- No More "Final Five" or Mid-Season Cut: World Champions will be crowned based on cumulative season rankings.
- Expanded Women’s Field: The women’s CT field will grow from 18 to 24 surfers.
- Every Heat Matters: Non-elimination rounds are removed, ensuring every heat has direct consequences for rankings.
2026 Championship Tour Schedule
The 2026 season kicks off in April at Bells Beach, Australia, and concludes in December at Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii. The tour includes a diverse range of wave conditions and locations, from powerful barrels to high-performance breaks.
- Stop 1: Bells Beach, Australia (April 1-11)
- Stop 2: Margaret River, Australia (April 17-27)
- Stop 3: Snapper Rocks, Australia (May 2-12)
- Stop 4: Punta Roca, El Salvador (May 28-June 7)
- Stop 5: Saquarema, Brazil (June 12-20)
- Stop 6: Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (July 10-20)
- Stop 7: Teahupo’o, Tahiti (August 8-18)
- Stop 8: Cloudbreak, Fiji (August 25-September 4)
- Stop 9: Lower Trestles, USA (September 11-20) – Last regular-season event
- Stop 10: Surf Abu Dhabi, UAE (October 14-18) – Start of postseason, reduced field
- Stop 11: Peniche, Portugal (October 22-November 1) – Postseason event
- Stop 12: Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii, USA (December 8-20) – Pipe Masters, full field returns
New Event Formats
Regular Season (Stops 1-9):
- Men: 36 surfers (32 qualified, 2 season wildcards, 2 event wildcards). Features a multi-round elimination format starting with 36 surfers.
- Women: 24 surfers (21 qualified, 2 season wildcards, 1 event wildcard). Features an elimination format starting with 24 surfers.
Postseason (Stops 10-11):
- Men: Reduced field of 24 surfers.
- Women: Reduced field of 16 surfers.
- The top seven of nine regular-season results will count towards qualification for these events.
Pipe Masters (Stop 12):
- The full CT fields (36 men, 24 women) will reconvene.
- The event carries 15,000 points, significantly impacting the World Title race.
- The top eight men and women entering Pipeline will receive advanced seeding.
- The final season rankings, and thus the World Champions, will be determined by a surfer’s best nine out of 12 results.
Format Changes Explained
The removal of non-elimination rounds means every heat will have direct consequences. The "Final Five" format, which determined the World Champion in a single event, is replaced by a cumulative ranking system. The mid-season cut is also eliminated, with a postseason period designed to narrow the field for the final two events before the season finale at Pipeline. This structure aims to create higher stakes from the very first heat of the season.
Sources
- World Surf League Releases 2026 Championship Tour Schedule and Formats, World Surf League.
- 2026 Championship Tour Schedule and Formats, World Surf League.
- Breaking: World Surf League Unveils Game-Changing 2026 Schedule, SURFER Magazine.
- World Surf League Releases 2026 Championship Tour Schedule and Formats, Surf News Network.
- World Surf League Scraps Final 5 Format, Will End Season at Pipeline in 2026, The Inertia.
