World Surf League: The VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Returns to Saquarema with Expanded Programming
- World Surf League
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SAQUAREMA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Tuesday, June 16, 2026) – Only one week remains before Brazil welcomes the world’s best surfers for the 2026 VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero, Stop No. 6 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). From June 19–27, Praia de Itaúna in Saquarema will once again become the center of the surfing world, bringing together the surfing’s elite athletes and an expanded schedule of activities both in and out of the water.
Brazil Leading the Charge In and Out of the Water
If Brazil hosts the world’s biggest surfing festival, the country will also be at the forefront of competition throughout the 2026 season. Even before the El Salvador Pro, five Brazilian surfers had already worn the coveted WSL Yellow Leader Jersey.
Reigning WSL World Champion Yago Dora (BRA) started the year in Yellow. Miguel Pupo (BRA) then took over the lead following his victory at Bells Beach, beginning a series of ranking changes that remained concentrated among Brazilian surfers throughout the opening events of the season. The Brazilian dominance continued with Gabriel Medina (BRA), who claimed the lead during the Australian leg, followed by Italo Ferreira (BRA) after the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro.
On the women’s side, Luana Silva (BRA) also made history by leading the rankings and competing in the Yellow Jersey seeing two Brazilians ranked #1 for the men and women for the first time ever.
Brazil reached an unprecedented milestone by occupying the top four positions in the men’s rankings and placing six surfers inside the world’s Top 10, marking one of the most dominant starts to a season in recent memory for the Brazilian Storm and raising expectations ahead of the Brazilian leg of the Championship Tour.
Ten Days of Entertainment for Surf Fans
Saquarema will host a continuous schedule of entertainment, brand activations, cultural experiences, and live music throughout the event period.
The most passionate fanbase in surfing will have plenty to celebrate on the sands of Itaúna. The world’s top surfers will hit the water on June 18 for the Official Training Day, beginning at 8:00 am (GMT-3).
In addition to the athletes already mentioned, Filipe Toledo (BRA), Samuel Pupo (BRA), João Chianca (BRA), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Mateus Herdy (BRA), and wildcards Weslley Dantas (BRA), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and a surprise wildcard to be revealed right before the event, will be representing Brazil.
WSL Sunset Returns to Itaúna, with the Fly Brothers Set to Light Up the Sky
As part of its continued expansion, WSL returns in 2026 with WSL Sunset, a music festival that's open to the public in one of the sport’s most iconic settings at Praia de Itaúna.
During the 2025 Challenger Series event in Saquarema, singer Gabi Melim captivated the crowd. This year’s edition will feature performances by Cidade Negra, Veigh, and Buchecha, bringing together different generations and musical styles in a free public celebration. Four-time Para Surfing World Champion Davizinho Radical will make his musical debut, performing songs inspired by his remarkable journey.
In addition to the musical lineup, fans will witness a first-of-its-kind aerial spectacle over Saquarema. Brazilian wingsuit athlete Flávio Jordão, holder of three world records and the country’s most accomplished athlete in the country, will join the Fly Brothers team in a performance featuring lighting technology and pyrotechnics designed to illuminate the skies above Praia de Itaúna.
Presented by Banco do Brasil, the City of Saquarema, and GWM, WSL Sunset takes place on June 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00pm. directly at Praia de Itaúna, officially opening the 2026 VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero. Organizers anticipate a record crowd, transforming the beach into a massive oceanfront stage for surf and music fans alike.
Known as being the largest sporting event in the state outside the capital of Rio de Janeiro, the opening week of the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero will feature a wide variety of attractions, including a Ferris wheel on the sands of Itaúna.
Among the major attractions outside the competition area will be aerial demonstrations by the Cometas, the Brazilian Army parachute team, and the Esquadrilha CEU, with their traditional airshow above the sands at Praia de Itaúna. Motorsports fans will also enjoy the WSL Moto Freestyle presentation, featuring FMX riders delivering high-energy freestyle motocross performances that complement the adrenaline-filled atmosphere of the Brazilian stop.
Throughout the event period, attendees at the WSL Fan Zone will have access to the first-ever Banco do Brasil Ferris Wheel, wellness activities including meditation, breathwork, fitness, flexibility classes, dance sessions, and other public experiences offered by Banco do Brasil, Probiótica, and Riachuelo. The cultural program will highlight local identity and regional talent through dance, jazz, choir, ballet, circus performances, and activities promoted by the Saquarema Municipal Department of Culture.
VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero
VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero holds a competition window beginning June 19 through 27 at Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Once called ON, the event will be broadcast on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
The VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero is proudly supported by VIVO, Corona Cero, the Rio de Janeiro State Department of Sports and Leisure, Banco do Brasil, GWM, Natura Kaiak, Riachuelo, Mãe Terra, Probiótica, Dr. Peanut, the City of Saquarema, Guaraná Antarctica, Aqua Côco, Mana Poke, True Surf, EY, YETI, Surfline, I-SEA, with additional support from RioGaleão International Airport, and official media partners Grupo Globo, InterTV, Rádio Mix, and Eletromidia.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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