World Surf League: Newquay's Boardmasters Open 2026 and YETI Join Forces for Upgraded Qualifying Series
- World Surf League
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Boardmasters Open Upgrades Qualifying Series to 4,000 Points
YETI Comes Onboard As Presenting Sponsor for Boardmasters Open 2026
FISTRAL BEACH, Newquay, England (Friday, June 5, 2026) - The World Surf League (WSL) Europe is excited to announce the iconic Boardmasters Open at Fistral Beach, Cornwall received a major upgrade to host a Qualifying Series (QS) 4,000. YETI has come onboard as presenting sponsor of the Boardmasters Open 2026, bumping up the annual QS 2,000 competition to the YETI Pro QS 4,000, and continuing to support the Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000, the Boardmasters Longboard Pro presented by YETI.
This partnership reinforces a shared commitment to supporting elite performance, progression, and the future of surfing and positions the event among the top three QS competitions in Europe. A critical platform for surfers targeting the Challenger Series and the elite Championship Tour, the upgraded ranking will attract a significantly stronger international field, creating an unprecedented opportunity for British surfers to compete for world ranking points on home soil.
“Surfing is where Boardmasters started and it has always, and will always be part of our DNA,” a Boardmasters spokesperson said. “It’s super exciting to see the competitions upgraded to a QS 4,000, making it one of the top events in Europe and a critical opportunity for British surfers to score significant points on the qualifying series tour, helping them realise their ultimate goal of competing on the Championship Tour and building towards the Olympics in 2028.”
The upgrade delivers on a long-term ambition to position Fistral Beach, Newquay, already one of Europe's most recognised surf breaks, as a destination for elite international competition.
“The WSL and our athletes are very excited to see the Boardmasters Open upgrade to a QS 4,000 this year, plus we will once again crown our European Longboard Title winners over the five days of competition at the iconic Fistral beach,” said Rob Gunning, WSL Europe Tour Manager.
“The added QS ranking points and importance on our European Qualifying Series will be impactful with a stronger field of athletes making the trip to Newquay to battle it out for this year’s trophy. The Boardmasters events team have put in a huge effort along with event sponsors and partners to make this upgrade a reality in 2026 and we are looking forward to some splendid competition during the entire event window.”
Wildcard entries for the QS 4,000 have been awarded to Surfing England's Pro Junior competition winners Lukas Skinner and Georgie May-Hicks, and runners-up Willow Smith and Fynn Gillespie. In addition, Boardmasters Open will introduce a number of selective wildcard entries into the QS 4,000 field, providing emerging British talent with the opportunity to compete directly against an elite international draw on home soil.
Two-time Boardmasters Open winner, Lukas Skinner, has already set himself the goal of defending his title back home. “I’m super looking forward to Boardmasters this year, being upgraded to a QS 4,000 is massive,” said Skinner. “I feel super confident and strong so I’m going to try my absolute best to go three in a row, but the main thing is enjoying it. It's my favourite week of the year and I have family and friends around with the beach full and the best crowd I’ve ever surfed in front of.”
The YETI Pro QS 4,000 and Boardmasters Longboard Pro 1,000 presented by YETI will take place from August 5-9, 2026 at Fistral Beach, Newquay.
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