In a landmark shake-up for professional surfing, the World Surf League (WSL) has announced that Hawaii’s iconic Pipeline will return as the final stop of the Championship Tour (CT) beginning in 2026, as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the competitive season and format.
The changes coincide with the 50th anniversary of professional surfing and will reposition Western Australia’s Margaret River event as the second stop of the season, following Bells Beach in Victoria. The 2026 CT season will run from April to December, with a restructured 12-stop schedule designed to deliver greater competitive drama and fan engagement.
PIPELINE RETURNS AS TITLE-DECIDER
Under the new format, the Pipe Masters—long regarded as one of the sport’s most revered events—will once again determine the men’s and women’s World Champions. It will now award 15,000 points, 1.5 times the value of a standard CT event, ensuring it carries the most weight in the rankings.
“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 final event will include the full CT field—36 men and 24 women—rejoining those who qualified for the postseason, creating a hybrid format that balances season-long consistency with high-stakes finales.
NEW STRUCTURE REDEFINES WORLD TITLE PATHWAY
In the updated CT structure, surfers will compete in nine regular-season events, with their top seven results contributing to postseason qualification. The final rankings, and ultimately the World Titles, will be determined by each competitor’s best nine results out of 12 total events.
The postseason will feature two lead-in events to the Pipe Masters, offering a new seeding system that provides competitive advantages to the top eight surfers entering Pipeline.
“This is a new era for the WSL,” Crosby said. “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.”
FURTHER CHANGES INCLUDE FORMAT STREAMLINING, EXPANDED WOMEN’S FIELD
All CT events will adopt a streamlined competition format, removing non-elimination rounds to heighten intensity and ensure more heats take place in optimal wave conditions.
The 2026 season will also see the women’s CT field expand from 18 to 24 athletes, further supporting global representation and competitive opportunity.
Qualification for the CT will remain tied to the WSL’s existing three-tier system, progressing through the regional Qualifying Series and Challenger Series. Details on those feeder tours will be released in the coming months.
PIPE MASTERS PARTNERSHIP AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Under a new agreement with Vans, the intellectual property rights to the Pipe Masters title will be transferred to the WSL. Vans will remain the exclusive footwear and apparel sponsor for the event.
2026 CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR SCHEDULE
The updated CT calendar spans 12 events across some of the world’s most prestigious surfing destinations:
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Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia
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Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
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Snapper Rocks, Queensland, Australia
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Punta Roca, El Salvador
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Saquarema, Brazil
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Jeffreys Bay, South Africa
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Teahupo’o, Tahiti
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Cloudbreak, Fiji
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Lower Trestles, California, USA (End of regular season)
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Surf Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Peniche, Portugal
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Pipe Masters, Hawai‘i, USA (Finale – Full CT field rejoins postseason)
A NEW ERA OF GLOBAL SURFING COMPETITION
The WSL says these changes reflect a commitment to honoring the sport’s heritage while amplifying its future on the global stage. By rewarding season-long excellence and delivering a decisive finale at one of the sport’s most iconic venues, the organization aims to enhance storytelling, performance, and fan experience across the Championship Tour.
For further details and updates, visit WorldSurfLeague website.