• The legendary Portuguese event locks in its spot as the longest running, uninterrupted stop on the world tour.

• The Women’s division gets a major upgrade, offering 3,000 points and a $30,000 USD prize purse, hitting total pay equity with the men.

• The action goes down at Praia Grande from September 1 to 6, 2026.

The IBC World Tour is stoked to officially announce the historic 30th edition of the Sintra Bodyboard Festival. This event is a true staple for our sport, holding the record as the longest running consecutive stop on the world tour, always hosted at the beautiful Praia Grande. Celebrating three decades of history, Sintra solidifies its spot as one of the biggest and most prestigious bodyboard events in Europe and around the globe.

What’s New & Key Highlights

The massive news for this special edition is that the Women’s division is moving up to Prime Series status, locking in maximum points and a crucial role in the final stretch of the season:

• The Penultimate Battle for the Women’s Prime Series: Running from September 1 to 6, this stop is going to be a game-changer on the international calendar. It’ll be the second-to-last chance for athletes to climb the world rankings before the grand finale at Arcelormittal (Jacaraípe, Brazil), which kicks off right after Sintra, from September 10 to 20.

• Make or Break Moment for the Men’s Division: The international heavyweights will have a golden opportunity at Praia Grande to bag vital ranking points right before the final Prime Series event at the Gran Canaria Frontón King (Canary Islands, Spain), scheduled for October 17 to 31.

Praia Grande: World Class Waves & Equal Pay

The event will take over the famous Praia Grande, located in the stunning Sintra Cascais Natural Park. This beach is a total swell magnet for the Atlantic Ocean, shaping heavy, consistent, and reliable sandbar ramps. It’s the perfect stage for the world’s best riders to pull off massive air games and high-speed barrels right in front of the crowd.

On top of the heavy action in the water, the Sintra Pro Fest backed by the Sintra Town Council is leading by example when it comes to equality in sports. In a strong push for gender equity by the local municipality, the women’s division will feature a $30,000 USD prize purse, matching the men’s prize money dollar for dollar.

Word from the Organizers

João Campos, organizer and president of the Sintra Coast Bodyboard and Surf Association (ABSCS), is hyped for another milestone year:

“It’s awesome to see the resources and drive of the municipality, the wave-riding community, and the local economy come together once again for an event with such a deep history in Portugal.

This year marks the 30th edition of this World Championship stop. It has gone by different names and worked with various international organizations over the years, but it has always thrived thanks to the amazing fans and the invaluable backing of the Sintra Town Council. This is only possible because successive city administrations have always recognized the hard work behind this event and its power to bring people together.”

The ABSCS president also pointed out how high the stakes are this year:

“This year, we’re hosting the biggest women’s event ever in terms of prize money, and potentially, a decisive stop for the world title. On the men’s side, even though the title usually gets wrapped up in the Canary Islands, Sintra will play a massive role in the rankings. Add to that the huge turnout of Portuguese riders and international athletes who traditionally choose Sintra to launch their global campaigns—thanks to the awesome setup of this beach and our country—and we’re guaranteed a top-tier show. We can’t wait for another historic year at Praia Grande.”

Unmatched Vibes

Sintra is famous worldwide as a UNESCO World Heritage site full of fairytale palaces and castles. But during the first week of September, adrenaline takes over. The festival is completely free for the public, guaranteeing massive crowds on the beach, live music, surf shops, brand activations, a vibrant beach culture, and a top notch live stream broadcast sending the action worldwide.

EVENT FACT SHEET

• Event: SINTRA BODYBOARD FESTIVAL 2026 (30th Edition)

• Location: Sintra, Portugal (Praia Grande)

• Date: September 1 to 6, 2026

• Status: CONFIRMED

Divisions, Prizes, and Points:

• WOMEN’S PRIME SERIES: $30,000 USD / 3,000 Points

• MEN’S PRIME SERIES: $30,000 USD / 3,125 Points

• Hosted by: Sintra Coast Bodyboard and Surf Association (ABSCS) & IBC World Tour

• Sponsored by: Sintra Town Council

Follow the Tour: Don’t miss a single beat of the 30th Sintra Bodyboard Festival. Check out our official channels:

• Official Website: www.ibcworldtour.com

• YouTube: @IBCWorldTour

• Instagram: @ibcworld_tour

• TikTok: @ibcworldtour

• Spotify: IBC World Tour