WSL Challenger Series event locked in to headline Newcastle Surfest in 2027

13 December 2025

newy.com.au – The NSW Government announced the World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series event will return to Newcastle Surfest in 2027.

Surfest, described as Australia’s oldest and largest surfing festival, was elevated to the Challenger Series for the first time this year and had now secured Destination NSW support for 2027 as Newcastle strengthens its reputation as a world class surfing destination.

Surfest will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026, with the tournament featuring grassroots, amateur and elite contests across Newcastle and the Hunter region. The 2027 program will again include the Challenger Series, with the government saying more than 80 elite male surfers and 48 elite female surfers would compete for spots on the WSL Championship Tour.

The event is expected to draw thousands of visitors and reach a global broadcast audience of more than 3 million viewers, while showcasing Newcastle’s surfing heritage and coastline. It also linked the announcement to its goal of growing visitor expenditure from $52 billion to $91 billion by 2035, including by investing in regional events and capitalising on tourism infrastructure such as Newcastle Airport’s new international terminal.

Premier Chris Minns said Newcastle’s beaches were a drawcard for visitors. “Securing this event for 2027 reinforces the city’s standing as an international surfing hub and extends an open invitation for visitors to experience everything the coastal city has to offer,” he said.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said Surfest had become a fixture on the national calendar. “Continuing this wave of momentum into 2027 will invite thousands of visitors to the region, boost local businesses and shine a spotlight on the talent and spirit of Newcastle’s incredible surfing community,” he said.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said locking in the event was “a great win for our community”, adding: “It means more visitors, more business for our local shops and more jobs for people right across the Hunter.”

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said: “Bringing the Challenger Series to Surfest gave the event a massive boost in audience and showcased Newcastle as a world-class surfing destination. I am stoked that the Minns Labor Government will be continuing to support Surfest into 2027.”

City of Newcastle chief executive Jeremy Bath said council had backed the event since it began. “Forty years later and Council is still supporting surfing, this time via the 2026 and 2027 WSL Challenger Series events,” he said.

WSL Asia-Pacific president Andrew Stark said the league was “extremely proud” to partner with the NSW Government and City of Newcastle to continue the Challenger Series event into 2027.