Photo: WSL/Bennett 

The WSL finally confirmed with a press release the new stage of the 2026 tour that will take place in Cloud 9, Philippines, between October 31 and November 10.

The event moves the Peniche stage to a little earlier and the Abu Dhabi stage to much later, thus leaving the second half of the year as follows:

Stop number 7: Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia: August 8-18
Stop #8: Cloudbreak, Fiji: August 25 to September 4
Stop No. 9: Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California, USA: September 11-20
Stop #10: Peniche, Portugal: October 16-25
Stop No. 11: Cloud 9, Siargao Island, Philippines: October 31 to November 10*
Stop No. 12: Surf Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: November 25-29*
Stop No. 13: Banzai Pipeline, Hawaiʻi, USA: December 8-20**

Cloud 9 and Abu Dhabi will be post-season stages in which only the top 24 men and 16 women on the tour will be able to compete.

In Pipe, stage 13, everyone returns and 50% more points are awarded.

The other change is that the international QS 6000 ceases to exist, and the international QS 6000 tour loses one stage, leaving it with the recently announced two European stages:

-ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro, Pantín, Spain: August 25 to 30, 2026
-Norte Surf Fest Pro, Matosinhos, Portugal: September 1-6, 2026
-Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: from September 14 to 20, 2026
-Jinzun Harbor, Taitung County, Taiwan: November 14-22, 2026

No replacement for the Philippines leg has been announced yet, and it is unknown if one will be announced.

Ryan Crosby, CEO of the WSL, announced: “We are thrilled to welcome the Philippines to the Tour thanks to the support of the Philippine Government. Elevating Cloud 9 to CT status reflects both the quality of the wave and the strength of our partnership. It is a well-deserved addition to the schedule that will test the world’s best surfers as the battle for the world title enters its final stages.”

Meanwhile, Patrick “Pató” C. Gregorio, president of the Philippine Sports Commission, added: “The Championship Tour belongs to the best waves in the world, and we are certain that Cloud 9 in Siargao, Philippines, is one of them. This will be a historic moment for Philippine surfing, and the CT will mark the beginning of a new era for this sport. May it inspire a new generation of athletes. May the world discover not only our waves, but also the vision, ambition, and heart of the Filipino people.”

William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, son of the president and sports ambassador for the PSC, stated: “The waves have always been here. The talent has always been here. Bringing the WSL Championship Tour to the Philippines is the perfect opportunity to show the world what Filipinos have always known: the Philippines has everything the world is looking for. Siargao will be unforgettable.”