Australian Surfers Prime to Dominate as WSL Unveils New 2026 Calendar

In a bold shift that favors the surfers and energizes fans, the World Surf League has revealed a revamped schedule for the 2026 season. This new plan eliminates the controversial finals day and introduces a more strategic and athlete-friendly tour format.

Kicking off in April at the legendary Bells Beach, the season will then move to Margaret River and Snapper Rocks, giving Australian surfers a strong start on home turf. “There are so many iconic waves in Australia, and beginning the season here was an obvious choice,” a WSL spokesperson explained. “It’s a great opportunity for us to start the year in optimal swell conditions.”

The revised calendar aligns better with prime wave periods, offering surfers more consistent and challenging conditions. Notably, the European leg has been moved to October, which is considered an ideal window for quality waves. Portugal will benefit from this shift, with better surf conditions expected during that time.

The tour will feature 12 events, with the Pipe Masters in Hawaii scheduled for December as the final event. Winning that event will now earn surfers 15,000 points instead of the usual 10,000, raising the stakes for the season’s climax.

One of the most significant changes is the easing of the mid-season cut. Instead of a sudden elimination after the ninth event at Lower Trestles in California, qualification for the latter part of the season will be based on a surfer’s best seven results. This provides a fairer pathway for competitors. The fields of 36 men and 24 women will then be narrowed to 24 men and 16 women for the next two stops, before all surfers return to the North Shore. The top eight will be seeded for the final iconic event.

These changes stem from extensive surveys and consultations with surfers, who were represented by a new advisory council. “We wanted to develop a format that balances tradition with growth,” Crosby said. “Finishing at the most iconic wave in the world was a key part of our discussions, and these adjustments help us realize that goal.”