WSL Swaps J-Bay for Raglan on Championship Tour
Per an announcement on Sunday, January 25th, the World Surf League revealed a venue swap, in addition to a reconfigured schedule, for the 2026 Championship Tour.
www.yardbarker.comHere’s the latest on WSL Raglan.
Answer (core)
- Raglan, New Zealand, is hosting a World Surf League Championship Tour event in 2026, marking Raglan as a stop on the CT for the first time in its history. The NZ Pro will run May 15–25, featuring both men and women at Manu Bay, Raglan. This news was officially announced by multiple NZ outlets and government sources in January 2026. [Sources cited below]
Context and details
- Venue and schedule
- Raglan’s Manu Bay will host the New Zealand Pro, the fourth stop on the 2026 WSL Championship Tour, running May 15–25, with top male and female surfers competing on a famous left-hand point break. This swap places Raglan in the top tier of the tour for 2026.[1][2][3]
- Official confirmation
- New Zealand government and regional authorities publicly welcomed Raglan as the host, emphasizing the tourism and sporting impact for Waikato and New Zealand as a whole.[3][6][8]
- Notable context
- The event is part of a broader package of 2026 WSL announcements, including shifts in the tour schedule to accommodate Raglan’s addition. Surfer responses highlighted enthusiasm for a left-hand point break on tour.[4][5]
Key quotes to know
- WSL and government officials characterized Raglan as a premier surf destination and stressed the global broadcast and tourism benefits of the NZ Pro.[1][3]
- Local wave rider reactions have emphasized the opportunity to compete at Raglan and the excitement of a world-class left-hand wave joining the tour.[4]
Images and visuals
- If you’d like, I can pull a representative image or chart showing Raglan’s inclusion on the 2026 CT schedule and where Raglan sits in the lineup.[6]
Citations
- Raglan to host NZ Pro on WSL Championship Tour; dates and venue: Big-time WSL surfing heading to Raglan.[1]
- NZ Pro details and government commentary: 'Biggest elite surfing event ever': Raglan to host WSL New Zealand Pro.[2]
- Official Beehive NZ government release: Raglan to make waves with World Surf League Tour.[3]
- Yardbarker summary of the schedule swap and Raglan addition: WSL Swaps J-Bay for Raglan on Championship Tour.[4]
- Waikato District Council page confirming the event and dates: World Surf League Championship Tour - Raglan details.[8]
Would you like a brief comparative snapshot of Raglan’s CT status versus other 2026 stops, or a simple calendar of key dates for fans planning to watch or attend?