12 Events, No Cut, More Gals + A Turbocharged Pipe Masters

2026 will mark 50 years since Fred Hemmings and Randy Rarick first founded the pro surfing circuit, International Professional Surfing (IPS), back in 1976. (Technically, there was a short-lived Smirnoff tour three years earlier, but let’s not split hairs).

It’s had a few rebrands since the IPS days. In 1983, the IPS became the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP). Which then in 2015, shape-shifted into the current World Surf League (WSL). 

And which abbreviation rolls of the tongue the best? IPS, ASP or WSL. 

Disqus.

The League has had one of its best years in recent memory under the new leadership of CEO Ryan Crosby. Ironically, many of the wins have come from looking backward to move forward: bringing back Pipe as the season finale, DOGE’ing the mid-year cut and Final 5, and allowing surfers to show personality without first being dipped in brand-safe bleach.

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Under E-Lo’s reign, The League wandered into reality TV limbo trying to seduce middle America — and in doing so, lost the plot, the core, and a chunk of its dignity. But that’s in the rearview now. From the tone on socials, to the commentary booth, to tour locations (J-Bay again? Don’t mind if we do), the WSL is back ripping again.

And no, I haven’t popped a disco biscuit this Monday morning. Credit where it’s due — The Cros turned a tanker.

Anyway, the 2026 schedule and format just dropped. Most of it we saw coming (see: this Crosby interview, and this one too). Mikey C will have a proper nerd breakdown soon.

2026 Championship Tour Schedule

Stop No. 1 – Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia: April 1 – 11
Stop No. 2 – Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia: April 17 – 27
Stop No. 3 – Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia: May 2 – 12
Stop No. 4 – Punta Roca, El Salvador: May 28 – June 7
Stop No. 5 – Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: June 12 – 20
Stop No. 6 – Jeffreys Bay, South Africa: July 10 – 20
Stop No. 7 – Teahupo’o, Tahiti, French Polynesia: August 8 – 18
Stop No. 8 – Cloudbreak, Fiji: August 25 – September 4
Stop No. 9 – Lower Trestles, San Clemente, Calif., USA: September 11 – 20*
Stop No. 10 – Surf Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE: October 14 – 18
Stop No. 11 – Peniche, Portugal: October 22 – November 1
Stop No. 12 – Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii, USA: December 8 – 20**

*End of regular-season, start of postseason
**Full CT fields rejoin postseason surfers to compete for Pipe Masters Titles

The WSL’s big reveal today also includes their new format for the 2026 season, which — due to the elimination of three-man, non-elimination heats — is unlike anything in recent memory.

Essentially, high seeds get a bye through the first round (which could be considered a qualifier round) while low seeds are left fighting for a spot in the main event. Here’s how it looks:

Regular Season (Stops 1–9)

• Men’s Field: 32 qualified + 2 season wildcards + 2 event wildcards = 36 total
  
• Women’s Field: 21 qualified + 2 season wildcards + 1 event wildcard = 24 total
  

Men’s 36 Format

• Round 1: 4 head-to-head heats — seeds 29–34 + 2 wildcards
  
• Round 2: Top 28 seeds join Round 1 winners (16 head-to-head heats)
  
• Round 3: 8 heats → then Quarters, Semis, Final
  

Women’s 24 Format

• Round 1: 14 surfers (seeds 9–22) + 2 wildcards = 8 heats
  
• Round 2: Seeds 1–8 join winners from Round 1
  
• Then: Quarters, Semis, Final

Postseason (Stops 10–11)

• Men’s Field: 22 qualified + 2 event wildcards = 24 total
  
• Women’s Field: 14 qualified + 2 event wildcards = 16 total
  

Men’s 24 Format

• Same as regular season Women’s 24 format (see above)
  

Women’s 16 Format

• Round 1: 8 unseeded heats
  
• Then: Quarters, Semis, Final
  

Pipe Masters (Stop 12)

• Men’s Field: 34 qualified + 2 wildcards = 36 total
  
• Women’s Field: 22 qualified + 2 wildcards = 24 total
  

Men’s Pipe Format (Expanded 36)

• Round 1: Seeds 29–34 + 2 wildcards
  
• Round 2: Winners from R1 + seeds 17–28
  
• Round 3: Winners from R2 + seeds 9–16
  
• Round 4: Winners from R3 + seeds 1–8
  
• Then: Quarters, Semis, Final
  

Women’s Pipe Format

• Same as Regular Season Women’s 24 format

Confused? Don’t worry. Next year’s tour doesn’t start still April, so you have eight months to wrap your heads around this new format.

Until then, stay tuned for Mikey C’s surgical dissection.