The Surfing Super League Wants to Change Professional Surfing

August 19, 2026

The Surfing Super League launched in Sydney with eight franchises, 48 contracted surfers and a first season planned for summer 2028.

The eight markets are the Sunshine Coast, Burleigh, Snapper, Northern Rivers, Newcastle, Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Sydney’s South and Melbourne.

The format is the pitch. Four teams compete simultaneously, with four surfers per team; three men and one woman across two 40-minute halves. Every wave contributes to a team score, while a designated “Power Surfer” gets an additional scoring opportunity at the end of each half. The entire competition fits into a 90-minute broadcast window, with no waiting periods or lay days.

Each athlete will reportedly earn $89,000 for the season, regardless of gender. Rosters consist of four men and two women, while the junior pathway is built around an even 50/50 split. Teton