Breaking: The Abu Dhabi CT Has Been Canned
Here’s what it means for the world title and requalification race.
It’s official: the Abu Dhabi pool is off the CT in 2026.
Back on July 1, when Stab broke the news that Cloud 9 was joining the Championship Tour, we added a prediction as a footnote:
“The tour will likely remain 12 events due to conflict in the Middle East ruling out a start for the Abu Dhabi wavepool, which has now been pushed back to late November.”
Sadly, Kalshi wasn’t taking action on that market.
In a statement released this morning, the WSL said that “persistent constraints on international flights and the current situation in the region have made staging the event this season unfeasible.”
Then, a word from the head honcho.
“We explored every option to keep the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro on the calendar this year,” said WSL CEO Ryan Crosby. “Unfortunately, the current conditions and logistical limitations made it impossible for us to move forward. It was a difficult decision, but the right one at this time. We value our partnership with Surf Abu Dhabi, and look forward to returning.”
So, what actually changes?
The CT drops from 13 events to 12, meaning there are now four events left, not five. Surfers will count their best nine results from the 12-event season, and Lowers, the next stop, becomes the final event before the post-season cut.
After Lowers, 22 men and 14 women qualify for the post-season field, with two event wildcards per gender bringing each field to 24 men and 16 women.
Those reduced field will compete in Portugal and the Philippines before the full 36-man and 24-woman rosters return for Pipeline.
Which means if you’re outside the top 22 men or top 14 women after Lowers, your requalification prospects become fairly gruesome.
You’re basically asking for a miracle at Pipe, where the points are turbocharged at 1.5x
Capiche?
Troubling times for the boys and gals down the back.
Choose your next waves wisely.
