Surfing WA is excited to announce that the Western Australia Margaret River Pro has been confirmed as a Championship Tour (CT) stop until 2028.
After successful negotiation between the World Surf League (WSL), the Western Australian Government via Tourism WA, Surfing Western Australia and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, the event has been secured from 2025 to 2028, and guarantees Margaret River will continue to host the world’s best surfers each year into a third straight decade.
“We’re very proud of the ongoing legacy of this event, now spanning 40 years, and its significance in providing young West Australians with the chance to compete against the world’s best through the Think Mental Health WA Trials,” said Surfing WA CEO Mark Lane. “The Margaret River Pro not only showcases our state’s incredible surfing talent but brings a significant economic boost to local businesses and fosters a strong sense of community amongst Western Australians.”
WSL APAC President Andrew Stark said he was thrilled to announce the extended partnership, which will see the Margaret River Pro continue as a WSL Championship Tour event through to 2028. “The Western Australia Margaret River Pro is such an amazing event location and a spectacular high-stakes wave on our global tour and one that the surfer’s staff and fans absolutely love to attend and watch. The stunning region of Margaret River is a location we all look forward to returning to annually, and we are excited to deliver the event for many years to come in partnership with the Western Australia Government. We sincerely thank the Western Australia Government for their continued support that ensures this iconic global WSL event continues into the future.”
As a premier stop on the WSL Championship Tour, the Margaret River Pro draws in surfing’s elite athletes, who compete fiercely for championship points ahead of the mid-season cut.
Since its inception in 1985, the Margaret River Pro has been a staple event in the region, now celebrating its tenth consecutive year as part of the CT in Western Australia.
The event serves as a magnet for visitors, with the 2023 edition attracting over 3,500 visitors to the Margaret River area, injecting over $8 million into the economy of the South West region.
It also serves as a global showcase for the breathtaking beauty and epic waves of Margaret River. With extensive media coverage and online broadcasts, as well as the social media presence of renowned surfers such as Kelly Slater, Jack Robinson, John John Florence, Caroline Marks and Tyler Wright, the Margaret River Pro captivates audiences worldwide, and shines a spotlight on the state.
“Western Australia has built a strong reputation as a world-class host of major sporting events, and it’s iconic competitions like the Margaret River Pro that further build on that,” said Western Australia’s Premier Roger Cook. “The continued presence of this important fixture in the surfing calendar is a testament to Margaret River’s reputation in the surfing world. We look forward to continuing to welcome surfers, staff and fans from across the globe to Main Break this year and for many more years to come.”
Member for Warren-Blackwood Jane Kelsbie said she was excited that the iconic event will be returning for the next four years. “We know how important this event is for our local economy here in the region, bringing in fantastic job opportunities and providing valuable boosts to local businesses and operators.”
For more about the World Surf League Championship Tour calendar, visit www.worldsurfleague.com
