The five challenger series for 2026 were confirmed by the WSL today in a press release, with the news that Saquarema, the only place that had QS, CT and CS, is no longer on the calendar and in its place came Maresias, in San Sebastian, Brazil.

Furthermore, there will not be two stages in Newcastle as happened this season, and the Pipe stage has been turned into a regional QS 6000.

Meanwhile, the status of QS 6000 international events was reconfirmed, events that can be competed for by QSs from different regions and CSs that will be in Brazil, the Philippines and Taiwan; the first one now in Saquarema.

The WSL said: “This year has already been an exciting season in the Challenger Series. There is incredible talent emerging in both the men’s and women’s divisions, and we are eager to see what the next generation can achieve at these venues, in addition to further opportunities to earn points at QS 6,000 international events,” said Travis Logie, Senior Tour Director, WSL Challenger Series.

The CS events are:
Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: July 12-18, 2026
Huntington Beach, California, USA: July 27 - August 2, 2026
São Sebastião, Brazil: September 26 - October 3, 2026
Ericeira, Portugal: October 6-12, 2026
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia: March 1-7, 2027

One of the new features in the press release, which isn't presented as news, is that there will be six qualifiers through the CT instead of seven this year. It literally states: “At the end of the season, the top 10 men and six women in the WSL Championship will qualify for the 2027 CT.”

They clarify that not everyone will be admitted to the international QS 6000, but only the best from each region, in addition to the CS.

They will be:
Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: September 14-20, 2026
Cloud 9, Siargao, Philippines: October 16-25, 2026
Jinzun Harbor, Taitung County, Taiwan: November 14-22, 2026

"For the WSL, it's very exciting to add these new QS 6,000 International events to our schedule. These events offer Challenger Series surfers the opportunity to explore and earn points in new locations, and QS Regional Series competitors the chance to try CS-level events before moving up to that level," said Will Hayden-Smith, Director of Regional Tours.