Surfing Super League: Australia Bets on a New Format

Northern Beaches, Sydney, Australia - SSL

The new Australian league aims to transform the way surfing is competed and consumed, incorporating teams, regional rivalries, guaranteed contracts and fixed-duration competitions.

The Surfing Super League (SSL) will feature eight weekends of competition along Australia’s east coast, turning these surf destinations into venues that combine sport, spectators and entertainment in a true spectacle that can be broadcast live with predictable schedules.

Sydney South, Australia - SSL

Its first season is scheduled to begin in January 2028 and will feature eight regional teams, each made up of six surfers: four men and two women. In total, 48 athletes will be contracted, each receiving a salary of US$89,000 for the eight-week season, regardless of gender or competitive level.

Northern Rivers, Australia - SSL

The competition will consist of four teams facing each other simultaneously, with each team fielding three men and one woman, who will alternate through a relay system. One of the SSL’s main changes is that these matchups will have a maximum duration of 90 minutes and will be divided into two 40-minute halves, separated by a 10-minute halftime, eliminating the long waiting periods common in traditional competitions.

Newcastle, Australia - SSL

In addition, unlike the traditional circuit, where earnings depend mainly on results, prize money and sponsorships, the Australian proposal offers guaranteed contracts of US$89,000 per athlete. It also establishes equal pay for men and women, which could provide many surfers with a new opportunity to develop a professional career with greater financial stability.