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'We finally got it!': Raglan brings desired left point break to World Surf League tour
Sport Nation • January 26th, 2026 1:52 pm
Yago Dora of Brazil competing in the World Surf League | Photo: Tony Heff/WSL
The biggest names in the World Surf League are heading to Aotearoa New Zealand this May.
The WSL have confirmed that the fourth stop of the 2026 Championship Tour will be Raglan.
The Waikato beach is well known as a surfing destination with the left-hand point break of Manu Bay providing an ideal location for the 'New Zealand Pro' leg.
"I'm very happy with the addition of a rippable left on tour," said Yago Dora, the 2025 WSL Men's World Champion.
"It's been a long time asking to have one on the schedule, and we finally got it! I've never been to New Zealand, and I'm very happy that I will get the chance to go there for the first time and experience what seems to be a very beautiful part of the world."
2025 WSL Women's World Champion Molly Picklum | Photo: Aaron Hughes/World Surf League
Australia's Molly Picklum echoed the excitement of the Brazilian champion.
"We don't have a rippable left point break on tour, so I absolutely love that I get to bring out the backside attack," the 2025 WSL Women's World Champion said.
"New Zealand culture and the way of life there is just a breath of fresh air, which is so appreciated when we are travelling so much. So all in all, I'm excited for that event.
"I think having NZ on tour brings us a world-class location when it comes to waves and food, which for me is all I ever worry about!"
The WSL's season begins April 1-11 at Bells Beach, southwest of Melbourne, Victoria, before taking in Western Australia (April 16-26) and Queensland (May 1-11), ahead of the May 15-25 tour stop in New Zealand.
Ella Williams competing at Raglan's Manu Bay in the 1029 Rip Curl Pro | Photo: Cory Scott/Surfing NZ
Prior to Monday's WSL announcement, the New Zealand government made a separate announcement on Friday via their Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website:
"The Government is supporting the event through the Events Attraction Package, which aims to attract high-value international events that boost visitor numbers, stimulate regional economies, and strengthen New Zealand’s reputation as a destination for sport, culture and entertainment.
"The event is expected to draw significant numbers of competitors, spectators and media to the Waikato region, alongside a global broadcast that will showcase Raglan as an internationally recognised surf destination.
"The New Zealand Pro is the fourth event announced under the Events Attraction Package, with further events to be confirmed in the coming months. The Package is part of a wider $70 million Major Events and Tourism investment announced in 2025."
Raglan’s Billy Stairmand at home in Manu Bay | Photo: NZ Surfing Magazine
The other events mentioned include the FIFA Series to be held at Auckland's Eden Park, where the All Whites will host Finland, Chile and Cape Verde ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
American nu-metal icons Linkin Park's one-off concert at Auckland's Spark Arena and Wellington's Ultra Music Festival have also been supported by the initiative.
Surfing NZ CEO Ben Kennings spoke with Mark Stafford on Sport Nation Afternoons following Monday's announcement.
"This is the top tier - the top 36 men and the top 24 women will be in New Zealand - it is the best of the best," Kennings said.
"We're pretty lucky because this year we've got the likes of John John Florence from Hawaii, three times World Champion returning - he's had a year off. Also Gabriel Medina from Brazil, three-time world champion coming back, and eight-time world champion Steph Gilmour is coming back from a sabbatical."
Of the four wild cards available for the event, Kennings confirmed that New Zealand has been granted two of those slots, with the recipients to be decided through the Backdoor King and Queen of the Point event in early May.
Listen to the full interview below:
