Qualification System for Surfing
at LA28 Olympic Games

– Last Update: June 29, 2026.

To view the complete Olympic QS for Surfing in LA28, click here >.

The key elements of the QS are as follows:

• Forty-eight (48) total athletes: 24 men and 24 women.
• Maximum of two (2) surfers per gender per NOC.
  Teams could exceptionally win a third slot through team qualification slots earned at the ISA World Surfing Games in 2026 and 2027.
• Qualification slots are earned by name on an individual basis, except for Team slots at the 2026 and 2027 ISA WSG, which are awarded to the NOC based on the highest ranked teams by gender at those events.

The hierarchical order of qualification will be as follows:

In cases where a qualification slot cannot be used due to eligibility limits, NOC quotas, or insufficient ranked athletes, the slot will be reallocated to the next highest-ranked eligible surfer, primarily via the 2028 ISA WSG.

1. 2028 WSL CT (16 total athletes)
   Top eight (8) eligible athletes per gender between August 15, 2027 and June 15, 2028. Maximum one (1) per nation.
2. 2028 ISA WSG
   Top seven (7) eligible athletes per gender. Maximum one (1) per nation.
3. Continental Slots
   1. Asian Games 2026
      One (1) slot per gender. Highest-ranked eligible athletes.
   2. Pan American Games 2027
      One (1) slot per gender. Highest-ranked eligible athletes.
   3. European Surfing Championship 2027
      One (1) slot per gender. Highest-ranked eligible athletes.
   4. 2027 ISA WSG
      One (1) slot per gender for Africa and one (1) slot per gender for Oceania, awarded to the highest-ranked eligible athletes. The athlete must place within the top 25 overall.
4. 2026 & 2027 ISA WSG
   The highest-ranked team per gender will earn one (1) slot per gender for its nation.
5. Host Nation Places
   One (1) slot per gender will be guaranteed for the host nation of the USA unless already filled through the above hierarchies.
6. Universality Places
   One (1) slot per gender for underdeveloped nations. Eligible NOCs will need to apply. The nominated athlete must place within the top 40 at the 2027 or 2028 WSG.

IOC Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport and Guiding Considerations for International Federations and Sports Governing Bodies