MANILA — The World Surf League (WSL) has officially elevated Siargao’s famed Cloud 9 to the Championship Tour, making the Philippines one of the world’s newest hosts of professional surfing’s highest level beginning in 2026.
The newly announced Philippines Pro, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, will run from Oct. 31 to Nov. 10 and will remain part of the Championship Tour through the 2027 season.
The promotion represents a significant milestone for Philippine surfing, with the event moving up from the QS 6,000 International circuit to the WSL’s premier global series.
WSL officials said adding the Philippine stop helps maintain a complete Championship Tour schedule by providing an additional event should the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro be unable to proceed as planned. It also supports the league’s revamped postseason structure.
WSL CEO Ryan Crosby said Cloud 9 has earned its place among the world’s best surfing venues, noting that the destination’s renowned waves and continued government support made it a natural addition to the calendar.
Celebrated for its fast and hollow right-hand barrels, Cloud 9 is expected to test the world’s top surfers during the closing stages of the title race.
Filipino surfers will have a chance to join the elite field through a dedicated Championship Tour Trials competition, where one male and one female surfer will receive wildcard berths.
Current men’s world No. 1 Leonardo Fioravanti welcomed the announcement, saying he looks forward to experiencing Cloud 9’s famous barrels and believes the new stop will bring fresh excitement to the tour.
The Philippines has steadily built its reputation in international surfing through the long-running Siargao International Surfing Cup, which has attracted global competitors since 1996 and has been part of the WSL Qualifying Series for more than a decade.
Beyond the Championship Tour, the WSL also confirmed that La Union will stage a World Longboard Tour event in January 2027, expanding the country’s role in international surfing.
PSC Chairman Patrick “Pató” Gregorio said hosting a Championship Tour event marks a historic chapter for Philippine surfing and offers an opportunity to inspire future champions while introducing more visitors to the country’s world-class waves.
Meanwhile, PSC Sports Ambassador William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos said the event will showcase the Philippines as a premier surfing destination and highlight the skill of Filipino surfers before a global audience.
The Philippines Pro will feature 24 male and 16 female competitors in the Championship Tour’s postseason, where athletes will fight for critical rankings before the Pipe Masters concludes the 2026 campaign in December.
The updated WSL schedule also shifts the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro to late November and adjusts the Portugal event to create room for the newly added Philippine stop.
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