Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 brings one of the most anticipated surfing competitions back to Bali. Taking place throughout the August waiting period, the event brings together Indonesian and international surfers for a high-level tube riding competition at Padang Padang, one of Bali’s most iconic surf spots.

This year’s Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang features an expanded program of events. Alongside the main competition, the schedule includes a film premiere, opening ceremony, Kecak Dance performance, athlete announcement, team signing, and a closing party at Ulu Cliffhouse.

BGS Bali proudly supports Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 as an event partner.

Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 Awaits the Right Swell

One of the defining characteristics of the Rip Curl Cup is its dependence on natural conditions. The event uses a waiting period to find the swell that can deliver the best possible conditions at Padang Padang.

According to official Rip Curl materials, the Indian Ocean is building strong swell potential toward Indonesia. Swell developments in the coming week will play an important role in determining when the competition can take place.

This year’s event tagline, ‘It’s On When It’s On’, captures that approach. The competition will run when wave conditions allow surfers to perform at their best.

The Main Event waiting period runs from August 1–31, 2026. Rip Curl has also extended the Men’s Trials waiting period to give local surfers the opportunity to compete under suitable conditions.

If a two-day swell meets the required criteria, the Men’s Trials can run immediately and progress toward the Main Event.

Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 Competition Format

The Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 competition format is designed to showcase the best in tube riding.

Each surfer gets two heats in a non-elimination, four-person format. This gives every competitor two opportunities to post big scores.

The scoring system counts the surfer’s best two waves. Both scores can come from the same heat, or one score can come from each of the two heats.

For example, a surfer scoring a 9 in Heat 1 and an 8 in Heat 2 would finish with a combined score of 17.

Following the qualifying heats, the leaderboard is determined by each surfer’s two best scores. The top four surfers then battle in the final, where the winner takes all.

Athlete Line-Up

The men’s division features 16 surfers, consisting of:

• 8 Indonesian specialists
• 8 international wildcards

The women’s division features 8 surfers, consisting of:

• 4 Indonesian specialists
• 4 international wildcards

The format brings Indonesian surfers together with international talent on one of Bali’s most iconic competitive stages.

Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 Events

The Rip Curl Cup also features a series of events beyond the surfing competition. The program begins ahead of the opening ceremony and continues through the closing party.

Darkhorse ft. Westen Hirst

Friday, July 31, 2026 | 6:00 PM

One of the opening events is the premiere of Darkhorse, a film documenting a journey from Lakey Peak to Padang Padang and the story of last year’s Rip Curl Cup champion, Westen Hirst.

The event also features a raffle held in memory of Troy Hirst, supporting Mikayla and Westen. All proceeds from the raffle will go directly to the Hirst family.

Opening Ceremony

Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 4:30 PM

The Opening Ceremony is one of the main events in the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 program.

The event features Floodlights, a Melbourne indie rock band known for their emotionally rich, guitar-driven songs. Floodlights will perform live from The Cave at Padang Padang.

The opening ceremony will also feature a Kecak Dance, a traditional Balinese performance presented as a blessing for the Rip Curl Cup and a tribute to the sacred spirit of Padang Padang.

The program also includes the athlete announcement, giving audiences an opportunity to meet this year’s invitees, both international and local.

‘Sketchy’ Premiere

Thursday, August 6, 2026 | 5:00 PM

Rip Curl Cup also presents the ‘Sketchy’ Premiere, centered around a new film starring Molly Picklum.

The film was created by Vaughan Blakey and Nick Pollet and forms part of the Rip Curl event program in Padang Padang.

The event will also feature a team signing, where visitors can meet the Rip Curl team, hear their stories, and enjoy drinks and giveaways.

Closing Party at Ulu Cliffhouse

Thursday, August 27, 2026 | 5:00 PM

The Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 program concludes with the Closing Party at Ulu Cliffhouse.

The event marks the close of the Rip Curl Cup waiting period and will take place as the Official Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang Party presented by Ulu Cliffhouse.

With surfing, music, film, culture, and community activities taking place throughout the event period, the Rip Curl Cup offers an experience that extends beyond the competition itself.

Padang Padang Takes Center Stage in World Surfing

Padang Padang has the characteristics that make it a natural stage for the Rip Curl Cup. When the swell arrives with the right direction and size, the reef break can produce powerful barrels that challenge surfers and captivate spectators.

That same character means the competition cannot simply be scheduled according to a calendar. The Rip Curl Cup waits for the moment when the ocean delivers the conditions required.

That is the essence of ‘It’s On When It’s On’.

For surfing fans in Bali, August is a time to follow the swell forecast and wait for the green light. For the local community and visitors, the events surrounding the competition offer different ways to experience the atmosphere of the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026.

BGS Bali as an Event Partner of Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026

BGS Bali is part of the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 program as an event partner, alongside other brands and companies supporting the event.

BGS Bali’s involvement reflects its support for surfing, the local community, and events that contribute to Bali’s position as one of the world’s leading surfing destinations.

The Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang brings together elements deeply connected to Bali’s ecosystem: sport, community, tourism, culture, music, and creativity.

With Padang Padang at its center, the event once again brings surfers and surfing enthusiasts from around the world to Bali.

Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 Schedule

The following events are listed in the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 Event Guide:

Date	Event	Time
July 31, 2026	Darkhorse ft. Westen Hirst	6:00 PM
August 1, 2026	Opening Ceremony	4:30 PM
August 1–31, 2026	Main Event Waiting Period	–
August 6, 2026	‘Sketchy’ Premiere	5:00 PM
August 27, 2026	Closing Party, Ulu Cliffhouse	5:00 PM

The timing of the main competition remains dependent on swell conditions and the organizers’ decision.

Updates on the green light, swell conditions, and competition heats can be followed through the official Rip Curl Cup channels.

Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 brings together the best surfers, the right waves, and the right moment. When the swell arrives and Padang Padang delivers the required conditions, the competition begins.

It’s On When It’s On.

BGS Bali proudly supports Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2026 as an event partner.