World's longest-running continuous surf competition — a 9-day WSL Challenger Series intensive on Huntington Beach Pier's south side.
The U.S. Open of Surfing is a 9-day professional and amateur surfing championship held at Huntington Beach Pier. It's among the longest-running continuous professional surf competitions in the world. For 2026, the event runs Saturday, July 25 – Sunday, August 2, featuring the WSL Challenger Series men's and women's fields plus junior and longboard categories. Ownership passed from IMG to MARI in 2025, so expect different sponsor branding than the old Vans era, but the on-sand experience is the same.
Watch genuine world-class surfing for free from the beach. The pier area is accessible to everyone, and you'll see swell management, technique, and risk-taking that casual surfers can't deliver. The 2026 WSL format removed elimination rounds in some tiers to create higher stakes from day one—so the energy runs hot earlier in the week rather than only peaking at finals weekend.
The event runs 9 days, not month-long as sometimes reported. Swell is unpredictable; heats can pause for days if waves don't cooperate. Arrive early if you want a good viewing spot near the pier, especially for semifinals and finals. Parking: PCH gridlock is real. The free Surf City USA Bike Valet on 5th Street is the smartest move—open both weekends, reliable, and skips the lot hunt. Prohibited: coolers are not allowed within the event site, and it's a strictly enforced no-drone zone. Seating: none provided on the sand—bring a heavy-duty towel or low beach chair. Food: nothing for purchase inside the event site; head to Main Street or pier-side spots like Duke's or Dwight's.
Bad swell days mean long waits and mediocre heats. The pier area gets packed during finals, and you're standing in sun for hours with minimal shade. For the iconic free view—south side of the pier looking down into the lineup—arrive before 8am on finals weekend. Bring sunscreen, water, and commit to leaving the cooler at home. The bike valet and 9-day format make planning easier than the old "it's on sometime this month" rumors suggest.