2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship

Cardiff, California, USA – February 16th, 2026

The International Surfing Association (ISA) and Surf City El Salvador today announced details for two major ISA World Championships set to take place in the Central American nation in 2026. Part of a landmark three-year partnership that began in 2025, the events will be held on the following dates:

●      ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) – September 4-13, 2026

●      ISA World Longboard Championship (WLC) – November 13-19, 2026

The groundbreaking partnership has strengthened the Government of El Salvador’s ongoing commitment to the ISA while delivering guaranteed, long-term event opportunities for national federations. Having already hosted an incredible 11 ISA events since 2019, Surf City El Salvador is already committed to a further four, including the two events announced today.

It will be the third time the WJSC has taken place in Surf City El Salvador, following highly successful editions in 2022 and 2024, and the fourth consecutive year it has hosted the WLC.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:

“We are very happy to bring the WJSC and the WLC back to Surf City El Salvador in 2026. This place has become very special for the ISA. Since 2019, we have continued to come back every year and every time the experience is incredible.

“El Salvador understands surfing. The waves are always amazing, the welcome is warm, and there is a true love of the sport from everyone involved – from the government, from the organizers, and from the beautiful Salvadoran people. The juniors, the longboarders and their whole teams, everyone feels at home here.”

Minister of Tourism Morena Valdez said:

“This year, we will continue positioning ourselves globally as a safe destination for surfing — one that also contributes to energizing the national and local economy. To a large extent, it has been one of the drivers that led us, in 2025, to reach 4.1 million international visitors, generating more than USD 3.6 billion in foreign currency income and over 340,000 direct and indirect jobs, representing 10% of GDP.

“Hosting these world championships in partnership with the ISA is part of the country’s strategy to sustain this growth – opening our doors to the world so visitors can experience the country and its people, and ultimately choose to invest and live in El Salvador.”