WSL Unveils 2023 CT Schedule

Fresh off the heels of a captivating albeit confusing Finals Day, World Surf League today released its Championship Tour schedule for 2023. It’s a lot of familiar faces, including one many fans probably thought they wouldn’t see again. 

Next year will almost mirror last season. Integrated tours for men and women, a mid-year cut after five events, and for the third straight year, the world champ will be decided at Lower Trestles. Click here to break down your mixed emotions.

All the events are the same and roughly in the same windows except one. The Surf Ranch is back and taking the first slot after the MYC. So instead of surviving the ax and posting up in Grajagan Bay, the top 22 men and 10 women (along with two wildcards each) will instead get a sweaty car ride to inland California. Hooray.

Don’t forget, this is the season that will qualify the top-two men and women from their respective countries for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The CT will determine 18 of 48 total spots for Teahupoʻo, with 10 men and 8 women selected. 

“We are proud of the new framework we’ve developed and seen play out over the course of this season with great success,” Jessi Miley-Dyer, Senior Vice President of Tours and Head of Competition, said in a statement. “The 2023 schedule provides the best possible platform and will continue to drive the world’s best surfing. Seeing the women return to Tahiti for the first time in 16 years in August was incredible, and I’m proud to confirm that 2023 will continue to see equal events, venues, and prize money with this fully combined schedule.”

Should the WSL incorporate more high-performance lefts? Who will be the 2023 world champs? Should the Surf Ranch even be a part of the CT? Free rein in the comments below.

2023 WSL Championship Tour Schedule:

Billabong Pro Pipeline (Hawaii): January 29 – February 10

Hurley Pro Sunset Beach (Hawaii): February 12 – 23

MEO Rip Curl Portugal Pro (Portugal): March 8 – 16

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach (Victoria, Australia): April 4 – 14

Margaret River Pro (Western Australia, Australia): April 20 – 30

Mid-season Cut: 36-man and 18-woman fields reduced to 24-man and 12-woman fields.

Surf Ranch Pro (USA): May 27 – 28

Surf City El Salvador Pro presented by Corona (El Salvador): June 9 – 18

Rio Pro presented by Corona (Brazil): June 23 – July 1

Corona Open J-Bay (South Africa): July 13 – 22

SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro (French Polynesia): August 11 – 20

WSL Final 5 determined to battle for the men’s and women’s World Titles.

Rip Curl WSL Finals (Lower Trestles, USA): September 7 – 15