Philippine hosts surfing’s premier Championship Tour event
The Freeman
October 30, 2026
CEBU, Philippines — The gods and goddesses of the waves are headed to Siargao as Olympic gold medalists, world champions and some of surfing’s biggest names will descend on Cloud 9 from today, October 30, to November 8 for the World Surf League (WSL) Philippines Pro Championship Tour.
This is the first time the Philippines will host the sport’s premier Championship Tour event.
The star-studded field features some of the most accomplished surfers in the sport.
Leading the men’s division are Brazilian stars Italo Ferreira, the 2019 WSL world champion and surfing’s first Olympic gold medalist; Gabriel Medina, a three-time world champion and one of Brazil’s most celebrated surfers; and Filipe Toledo, a two-time world champion.
Also competing are Brazil’s Yago Dora and Miguel Pupo, Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti, and Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi, underscoring the global stature of the event.
The women’s field is equally formidable.
Headlining the draw are Caroline Marks of the United States, a former world champion and Olympic gold medalist; Australia’s Molly Picklum, rising talent Erin Brooks; Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan; and veteran campaigner Lakey Peterson.
For the Philippines, the event is being billed as more than a surfing competition.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio, who also chairs the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC), said the tour showcases the country’s growing position as a sports tourism destination.
“Sports tourism is more than staging competitions. It is a powerful platform that showcases destinations, drives local economies, inspires communities, and places the Philippines on the global map,” Gregorio said.
Three Filipinos will carry local hopes before a global audience, led by Siargao standout and “King of Cloud 9” John Mark “Marama” Tokong, alongside Jayuard Alciso and Mara Lopez.
The hosting of the Championship Tour is aligned with Administrative Order No. 38 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which created the NST-IAC to strengthen the country’s position as a destination for international sporting events.
Organizers flash the shaka or “hang loose” hand sign to convey the the “Aloha spirit,” during the launching of the World Surf League Championship Tour event at the Philippine Sports Commission office in Manila on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. | Philippine Sports Commission photo
William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, Philippine Sports Ambassador and a key supporter of local surfing, said the event presents a rare opportunity to showcase both Filipino athletes and the country’s world-class surf breaks.
“The waves have always been here. The talent has always been here,” Marcos said.
“Bringing the WSL Championship Tour to the Philippines is the perfect opportunity to finally show the world what Filipinos have known all along: the Philippines has everything the world is looking for. Siargao will be unforgettable,” he added.
Gregorio described the arrival of surfing’s premier circuit as a watershed moment for the sport in the country.
“This will be a historic moment for Philippine surfing, and the arrival of the Championship Tour will usher the sport into an exciting new era,” he said.
The event is expected to generate worldwide exposure for Siargao, long regarded as one of the world’s premier surf destinations, while boosting tourism and local economic activity.
Gregorio also thanked WSL Chief Executive Officer Ryan Crosby and WSL Asia Pacific President Andrew Stark for their confidence in the country’s surfing potential and for choosing Siargao to host the milestone event.
“Let it inspire a new generation of athletes. Let the world discover not just our waves, but the vision, ambition, and heart of the Filipino people,” he said.
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