23/11/2025
Book your accommodation now!
๐๐ฎ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ฏ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ค๐๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐โโ๏ธ๐๐ฅ
The World Surf League (WSL) has today announced that in January 2026, La Union in the Philippines will host the first-ever Longboard International Qualifying event. This first-of-its-kind event will bring together top longboard talent from around the globe in a high-stakes competition that offers a direct pathway to the 2026 WSL Longboard Tour.
With the hope of expanding opportunities for longboard competitors from around the world, winners and runners-up of this new look event will be awarded wildcard spots on the 2026 WSL Longboard Tour. This gives surfers who narrowly miss out on regional qualification another chance to earn a coveted spot on the Tour.
"This new format is about creating more access and opportunities to longboarders from all WSL regions," said Will Hayden-Smith, WSL Longboard Tour Director. โWe know there are incredible longboarders in every corner of the world who deserve the chance to compete on the biggest stage. This event in La Union gives them that shot. La Union is a town with such a strong connection to longboarding and a perfect wave for competition, so we look forward to launching this new format at this location.โ
The field will be open to all WSL LQS surfers globally, with a seeding formula based on that of the Challenger Series. With an open field and so much on the line, this event could attract one of the biggest international fields of any WSL Longboard event in history.
โIn January 2026, it will be a real thrill to host an exciting new event format under the WSL,โ said Patrick C. Gregorio, Chairman, Philippine Sports Commission.
โThat month in La Union marks the first-ever International Longboard World Tour Qualifier, bringing the worldโs best longboarders, men and women alike, to compete on the flawless waves of Monalisa Point in San Juan,. With four direct tickets to the WSL Longboard Tour at stake, our Filipino surfing athletes will surely be preparing to show off world-class skill and homegrown heart on home waters. We are excited to deepen our partnership with WSL as the Philippines continues to grow its presence on the global surfing map.โ
2026 will mark the third iteration of the La Union International Longboard Pro, with the upcoming event anticipated to be the largest yet. With its rich surf culture and world-class waves, La Union provides the perfect backdrop for this landmark event.
