The World Surf League (WSL) has announced groundbreaking changes to the Championship Tour (CT) for the 2026 season, marking the 50th year of professional surfing with an exciting evolution of its calendar and competitive format. Highlighted by the return of the iconic Pipe Masters as the season finale, the revamped tour will conclude on the legendary North Shore of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, at Pipeline, one of surfing’s most hallowed waves.
The 2026 CT will run from April to December, beginning in Australia and culminating in Hawai‘i. The reimagined 12-stop schedule reflects feedback from surfers and fans alike, alongside logistical considerations with partners and event permits. At the heart of these changes is a cumulative rankings format designed to balance the weight of a full-season Title race with a high-stakes finale.
“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,” said WSL CEO Ryan Crosby. “We are thrilled to return the final event of the year, where World Champions will be crowned, to this iconic proving ground.”
The road to the World Title has been redesigned, introducing nine regular-season events before narrowing the field to 24 men and 16 women for two postseason events. Surfers will carry their top seven results from the regular season into the postseason, where their performances and cumulative scores across the 12-event season will determine the World Titles. A pivotal change includes the Pipe Masters awarding 15,000 ranking points, 1.5 times more than other stops, amplifying its impact on the Title race.
World Surf League
“The changes represent a new era for the WSL,” Crosby continued. “By bringing the finale back to the North Shore and strategically innovating the format, we are celebrating surfing’s legacy and creating the ideal stage for the sport’s most unforgettable moments.”
Additional updates include the elimination of non-elimination rounds in all CT events, raising the stakes from the first heat and ensuring more impactful battles in optimal wave conditions. The women’s CT field will also expand from 18 to 24 surfers, increasing global representation and providing more opportunities for athletes to showcase their talent.
Under a new agreement, the WSL will acquire the intellectual property rights to the Pipe Masters name, with Vans remaining on board as the exclusive footwear and apparel partner for the event. This partnership underscores the significance of the Pipe Masters as the capstone to the season’s most competitive moments.
The 2026 CT schedule reflects a blend of surf spots that celebrate the sport’s rich heritage while showcasing its ferocious modernity. It includes iconic locations such as Bells Beach in Australia, Teahupo‘o in Tahiti, Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, and the newly-added Surf Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The season finale at Pipeline ensures the world’s best surfers will once again battle it out on the sport’s ultimate stage.
Crosby emphasized the importance of honoring the past while pushing the boundaries of the sport forward. “With these changes, we are creating the ideal balance between progression and heritage, ensuring every event matters and every performance has the power to define history.”
The 2026 CT offers a fresh pathway for surfers, keeping the three-tier qualification system through regional Qualifying Series and Challenger Series events to identify the most deserving competitors. This approach ensures the finest talent competes on the world’s biggest stage.
The 50th anniversary of professional surfing promises to blend nostalgia with innovation, ushering in a future where athletes, fans, and partners can celebrate the sport like never before. With the return of the Pipe Masters, a streamlined competitive structure, and a world-class calendar, the WSL’s 2026 Championship Tour is poised to push the boundaries of surfing’s global potential.
