WSL Confirms Five INTL QS 6000 Events: What Are They and How Do They Work?
- Ayelet Fuentes Guerra
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
At the beginning of 2026, the World Surf League (WSL) announced a major change to its qualification system with the creation of the International Qualifying Series (INTL QS), a new competition tier designed to provide regional surfers with greater opportunities to progress to the Challenger Series (CS).
The new format introduces QS 6000 events open to surfers from all regions of the world. These competitions will be held at world-class waves and will be limited to a maximum of six events per season in order to maintain their competitive value and strategic importance.
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of the "Bring 1 Result" rule, which allows each surfer to use one INTL QS result to strengthen their season ranking. For Challenger Series competitors, the ranking can now be calculated in two ways, although the substitution can only be made once per season and does not replace the regular Challenger Series schedule:
The five best Challenger Series results, as under the current system
Four Challenger Series results plus the best result from one INTL QS event
For regional QS surfers, the benefit is also significant, as they will be able to count one INTL QS result earned outside their home region toward their regional ranking while keeping the remainder of their results from their own region.
According to the WSL, the new system is designed to reward athletes who perform well at world-class waves, provide more international competitive opportunities without requiring extensive travel, and increase the prestige of selected Qualifying Series events.
The INTL QS events will not replace the Challenger Series or provide direct qualification to the Championship Tour. Instead, they will serve as an intermediate step on the pathway to professional surfing's elite level.
For the 2026 season, the WSL confirmed five INTL QS 6000 events across four continents. The schedule begins with the ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro in Pantín, Spain, from August 25–30, followed by the Norte Surf Fest Pro in Matosinhos, Portugal, from September 1–6. The tour will then head to Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from September 14–20, continue to Cloud 9 in Siargao, Philippines, from October 16–25, and conclude at Jinzun Harbor, Taitung County, Taiwan, from November 14–22.
According to the WSL, this new model aims to preserve the importance of the regional circuits while rewarding outstanding performances on the international stage, creating a smoother pathway for surfers aspiring to reach the highest level of the sport.
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