Brazil is, without a doubt, a global surfing superpower. Home to the legendary “Brazilian Storm” that has taken the World Tour by storm, the country produces world champions, Olympic medalists, and a seemingly endless wave of new talent. For fans of the sport, 2026 promises to be an absolutely historic year. For the first time, Brazil will host not one, but two major international World Surf League (WSL) events, in addition to a completely revamped and more lucrative national circuit.
From the iconic walls of Saquarema to the newly christened “home of Medina” in São Sebastião, the country is set to be the epicenter of competitive surfing. Whether you are a hardcore fan looking to catch the world’s best athletes live or a casual observer wanting to follow the action, this guide has you covered. Here is your complete 2026 schedule for surfing competitions in Brazil.
A Landmark Year for International Surfing in Brazil
The 2026 season marks a significant shift for professional surfing in Brazil. For years, the country has hosted a single, highly anticipated stop on the WSL Championship Tour (CT) at the legendary beach of Saquarema. While that tradition continues, the announcement of a new event in São Sebastião elevates Brazil’s status on the global stage .
This new event is part of the Challenger Series (CS) , the intense qualifying league where surfers battle for a coveted spot on the following year’s elite CT. Hosting a CS event is a massive vote of confidence in the infrastructure and passion of Brazilian surf fans. To add even more spice to the mix, São Sebastião is the hometown of the three-time world champion and national hero, Gabriel Medina . The energy at Praia de Maresias, known for its world-class waves, is guaranteed to be electric as local heroes fight for their chance to rejoin or secure their place among the sport’s elite .
WSL Championship Tour (CT) – The Big Show in Saquarema
The crown jewel of professional surfing returns to Brazil in 2026. Saquarema, with its powerful and unpredictable beach break, will once again host the world’s best surfers as they battle for crucial ranking points in the race for the world title.
- Event: Vivo Rio Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil (Tentative Title)
- Location: Itaúna Beach, Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro
- Dates: June 12 – 20, 2026
This event is Stop No. 5 on the 12-stop Championship Tour . As part of a major revamp of the WSL format for the league’s 50th anniversary, every heat carries immense consequence. Gone are the non-elimination rounds and the mid-season cut. The surfer with the best cumulative results across the season will be crowned world champion .
What to expect: High-performance surfing on one of Brazil’s most challenging waves. Expect massive crowds on the beach and a carnival-like atmosphere as the local heroes like Filipe Toledo, Ítalo Ferreira, and Yago Dora take on the international field.
WSL Challenger Series (CS) – The Road to the Top in São Sebastião
This is the headline-making news for 2026. For the very first time, the state of São Paulo will host a Challenger Series event. It’s a major coup for the region and a testament to the quality of waves at Maresias.
- Event: Banco do Brasil São Sebastião Pro
- Location: Maresias Beach, São Sebastião, São Paulo
- Dates: September 26 – October 3, 2026
This event is one of only five Challenger Series stops worldwide in the 2026/27 season. It will feature 80 men and 48 women competing for precious points . At the end of the CS season, the top finishers (10 men and 6 women) will earn their place on the 2027 Championship Tour .
The involvement of Banco do Brasil as the title sponsor highlights the growing commercial power of the sport in the country. Beyond the competition, the event promises to be a massive festival with concerts, entertainment, and sustainability initiatives, ensuring a huge economic impact on the region .
WSL Qualifying Series (QS) – The International Saquarema Festival
Before the CT stars arrive, Saquarema will also host a high-stakes event on the Qualifying Series, which serves as the pathway to the Challenger Series and, ultimately, the CT.
- Event: REMA Saquarema Surf Festival
- Location: Itaúna Beach, Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro
- Dates: September 14 – 20, 2026
- Ranking: Men’s QS 6,000 / Women’s QS 6,000
This is one of the highest-rated QS events in the world, offering a massive 6,000 points to the winners. It serves as a crucial battleground for surfers ranked just below the elite level. It’s the perfect appetizer before the main CT event earlier in the year and a great opportunity to see the stars of tomorrow battling it out on the same famous wave .
The New Era of Brazilian Surfing: The Surf Brasil Circuit
While international competitions bring global attention, the heart and soul of the sport lies in the domestic circuit. In 2026, the Confederação Brasileira de Surf (CBSurf) is launching a completely revamped identity and competition format under the banner “Surf Brasil” .
The goal is to create a more competitive, valuable, and prestigious national championship. The new format unifies the previous Dream Tour and Taça Brasil into a single, powerful circuit that will crown the true Brazilian champions across all categories .
With a total prize purse of R$ 2 million already confirmed for the elite “Surf Brasil Pro” category, this is set to be one of the richest seasons in Brazilian history. Here is the full schedule .
February – The Season Kicks Off in Ceará
- Event: Surf Brasil Pro – 1st Stage
- Location: Praia da Taíba, São Gonçalo do Amarante (CE)
- Dates: February 21 – March 1, 2026
The season opens in the Northeast with the powerful beach break of Taíba. This stage saw an expanded field of 228 surfers (168 men, 60 women) competing for a share of the R$ 500,000 prize purse, with R$ 50,000 going to each of the male and female winners .
March – Regional Qualifiers Begin
- Event: Surf Brasil Base – North/Northeast Regional
- Location: Barra de Camaratuba, Mataraca (PB)
- Dates: March 12 – 15, 2026
This is the first of three regional qualifying events for the junior categories (U-12, U-14, U-16, U-18). These regionals will determine who gets to compete for the national title at the grand final later in the year .
April – The Masters Take Over Sergipe
- Event: Surf Brasil Master
- Location: Praia do Abaís, Estância (SE)
- Dates: April 18 – 26, 2026
A dedicated event for the “Master” (senior) categories, showcasing the experience and enduring talent of Brazil’s veteran surfers.
May – Action-Packed Month in Pernambuco
May is the busiest month on the calendar, with Pernambuco’s Porto de Galinhas playing host to a triple-header of events.
- May 09 – 17: Surf Brasil Pro – 2nd Stage at Praia do Borete. The professionals return for another R$ 500,000 showdown .
- May 20 – 24: Surf Brasil Parasurf at Praia do Borete. A fantastic celebration of adaptive surfing, crowning Brazil’s best para-surfers .
- May 23 – 31: Surf Brasil Longboard / SUP Surf / SUP Race. The venue for this festival of alternative disciplines is still to be defined, but it will decide the national champions in longboarding and stand-up paddleboarding .
June – The Hunt for Talent Continues in the Southeast
- Event: Surf Brasil Base – Southeast Regional
- Location: Praia a definir, Espírito Santo
- Dates: June 5 – 7, 2026
The second of the junior qualifying events, this time held in the waves of Espírito Santo.
July – The Third Pro Stop in São Paulo
- Event: Surf Brasil Pro – 3rd Stage
- Location: Praia de Itamambuca, Ubatuba (SP)
- Dates: July 18 – 26, 2026
The professional circuit travels south to one of São Paulo’s most famous and consistent waves, Itamambuca, for its third stage.
August – The Southern Juniors Battle It Out
- Event: Surf Brasil Base – South Regional
- Location: Praia a definir, Paraná
- Dates: August 14 – 16, 2026
The final regional junior qualifier takes place in Paraná, setting the stage for the national final.
September – The Future is Decided in Santa Catarina
- Event: Surf Brasil Base – National Final
- Location: Santa Catarina
- Dates: September 9 – 13, 2026
The best junior surfers from the North/Northeast, Southeast, and South regionals converge in Santa Catarina to battle it out for the ultimate prize: the Brazilian national title in their respective age divisions .
November – The Grand Finale in Santa Catarina
- Event: Surf Brasil Pro – 4th and Final Stage
- Location: Praia a definir, Santa Catarina
- Dates: November 7 – 15, 2026
The season concludes in Santa Catarina, the heart of Brazilian surfing. The final stage of the Surf Brasil Pro will decide the men’s and women’s Brazilian champions for 2026, with another R$ 500,000 on the line .
2026 Surfing Competitions in Brazil: At a Glance
Here is a handy table to summarize all the major events happening in Brazil this year.
| Dates | Event | Location | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 21 – Mar 1 | Surf Brasil Pro – Stage 1 | Praia da Taíba (CE) | Brazilian Circuit, R$ 500k prize |
| Mar 12 – 15 | Surf Brasil Base – NE Regional | Mataraca (PB) | Junior Qualifier |
| Apr 18 – 26 | Surf Brasil Master | Estância (SE) | Senior/Master Championship |
| May 9 – 17 | Surf Brasil Pro – Stage 2 | Porto de Galinhas (PE) | Brazilian Circuit |
| May 20 – 24 | Surf Brasil Parasurf | Porto de Galinhas (PE) | Para Surfing Championship |
| May 23 – 31 | Longboard / SUP / SUP Race | TBD | Alternative Disciplines Festival |
| Jun 5 – 7 | Surf Brasil Base – SE Regional | Espírito Santo | Junior Qualifier |
| Jun 12 – 20 | WSL Championship Tour | Saquarema (RJ) | World’s Best Surfers |
| Jul 18 – 26 | Surf Brasil Pro – Stage 3 | Ubatuba (SP) | Brazilian Circuit |
| Aug 14 – 16 | Surf Brasil Base – South Regional | Paraná | Junior Qualifier |
| Sep 9 – 13 | Surf Brasil Base – National Final | Santa Catarina | Junior National Titles |
| Sep 14 – 20 | WSL QS 6,000 Festival | Saquarema (RJ) | International Qualifier |
| Sep 26 – Oct 3 | WSL Challenger Series | São Sebastião (SP) | Elite Qualifying Event |
| Nov 7 – 15 | Surf Brasil Pro – Stage 4 | Santa Catarina | Brazilian Circuit Finale |
A Golden Year for Brazilian Surf Fans
Whether you’re cheering for the world’s elite at the CT in Saquarema, witnessing the future stars at the new Challenger Series in Maresias, or following the journey of local heroes on the brand-new Surf Brasil circuit, 2026 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year. The waves are waiting, the athletes are preparing, and the stage is set for another chapter in Brazil’s rich surfing history. Mark your calendars, pack your sunscreen, and get ready for some of the best surfing the world has to offer.