The World Surf League (WSL) officially launched its Philippines season at Wildflour Rockwell, unveiling a packed 2025–2026 calendar that cements the country’s status as a premier destination for international surf competitions.
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Manila, Philippines – August 12, 2025.
WSL Philippines representatives emphasized the country’s growing importance in global surfing after hosting the successful World Junior Championships in La Union.
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Sports Ambassador and Bagong Pilipinas Chairman William Vincent Marcos highlighted how surfing events uplift athletes and local communities during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum in Makati.
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Marcos, who is also an avid surfer, expressed his personal connection to the sport, saying it holds a “very special place” in his heart. He pointed out that the upcoming competition is a valuable opportunity for the Philippines to strengthen its sports tourism efforts.
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Joining the forum were Philippine Sports Commission Chairperson Patrick Gregorio, Isabela 5th District Rep. Mike Dy, who also chairs the House Committee on Youth and Sports, Aurora Lone District Rep. Rommel Angara, and United Philippine Surfing Association president Dr. Raul Canlas.
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Gregorio underscored the importance of sports-driven tourism, calling surfing a “beautiful sport” that fits perfectly into the country’s tourism program. He added that with the Philippines’ 7,100 islands, the potential for growth in surf tourism is vast, provided leaders continue to give it strong support.
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Carby described the tournament as a “world-class” undertaking, praising the Philippines’ renowned surf destinations such as Siargao, Baler, and La Union for their unique charm and hospitality—qualities he said make hosting WSL events seamless.
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Gregorio closed with a remark highlighting the allure of the country’s top surf spots, noting the “magic” found in Siargao, Baler, and La Union.
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Major Events Confirmed
Three marquee events headline the new season:
- Cloud 9, Siargao – QS6000 (October 23–31, 2025): The highest-ranking Qualifying Series event ever held in the Philippines, attracting global athletes and reaffirming Siargao’s place as an elite surf destination.
- Baler International Pro – QS4000 & LQS1000 (November 17–23, 2025): Building on Baler’s successful WSL hosting in 2024, this event expands to both shortboard and longboard divisions.
- San Juan, La Union – January 2026 project: Following the acclaimed World Junior Championships that crowned Indonesia’s Bronson Meydi and Brazil’s Luana Silva, WSL aims to elevate the standard once again with another major competition.
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Economic and Cultural Impact
Sports tourism remains a central theme. In 2021, the DOT and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) estimated that a tourist spent around PHP 7,000 per day, with an average stay of 10.58 nights—covering accommodations, food, transport, merchandise, and experiences. WSL International events hosted in the Philippines usually have a 7-day window. Athletes joining the event stay for an average of 10 days, with each event having at least 100+ registered foreign athletes plus their companions, international crew, and spectators. That would be almost 1.4M of daily spending fueling local economic growth. With an average 10-day stay, each event injects millions into host communities.
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these events are a direct result of strong coordination between government agencies, the private sector, and global sports organizations. They provide not only job opportunities, but also global visibility and long-term potential for tourism growth.
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The Philippine Sports Commission pledged strong support. Notably, PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio, reaffirming commitment to grassroots and elite-level surf development.
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Athlete Presence
Filipino longboarders Rogelio Esquivel Jr. (World Rank No. 3) and Jomarie Ebueza (World Rank No. 16) were present at the launch, underscoring the rising profile of local athletes on the global stage.
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Looking Ahead
With support from SDMI Sports and a growing coalition of government and private partners, the WSL Philippines season promises world-class competition, economic opportunity, bringing its surf culture, communities, and athletes into sharper global focus.
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For event registration and updates, visit www.worldsurfleague.com.