Almost seven months have passed since we last saw the best surfers tearing it up in the WSL Championship Tour, and the wait is officially over. Surfing royalty, Gabriel Medina, starts the season opener as the men’s pre-event odds favorite, while Caitlin Simmers takes the honors in the women’s division. Local fans will no doubt be rooting for the Aussie duo of Jack Robinson and Isabella Nichols, who return to defend the crowns they captured in 2025.
Go beyond just supporting the WSL Bells Beach season opener – check out our partner sportsbooks to get valuable promotions and place your WSL bets. Whether you are backing your favorite surfer or looking for an underdog, our partners offer competitive odds, special playing boosts, and promos designed for surfing fans.
DraftKings
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ on WSL, Get $200 in Bonuses Instantly!
The world’s best surfers paddle out at Bells Beach from April 1 to April 11 to kick off the 50th anniversary of the WSL Championship Tour. Competitors are set to drop in for the round one heats on Wednesday, April 1, starting from 7:30 am AEDT. Catch the season-opening surf live from Down Under on ESPN+ or WSL.com and follow the latest results on the dedicated event page.
2026 WSL Bells Beach Odds
Event Winner - Men's
The biggest headline of the season opener is the return of Gabriel Medina. He sat out most of 2025 courtesy of a pectoral injury, but is back in 2026, and enters as the surfer to beat. Medina is followed in the odds table by his compatriot, Filipe Toledo, who last triumphed at Bells Beach in 2022. Toledo endured a quieter campaign last year, but still notched up one victory and a semi-final appearance along the way.
The reigning men’s Champion on this break is the Western Australian, Jack Robinson. He registered two victories last season and progressed to the Fiji Finals before losing out in the opening match to Italo. Ferreira started the 2025 term stronger than he finished. The Brazilian racked up two finals appearances in the first three events, winning once. Moving down the odds sheet, we see Griffin Colapinto, who finished last year on a high, entering four finals in the ultimate six events. However, the American closed out the year winless.
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Surfer
Odds
Payout on $20
Gabriel Medina
+482
$116.40
Filipe Toledo
+492
$118.40
Jack Robinson
+799
$179.80
Ethan Ewing
+832
$186.40
Italo Ferreira
+834
$186.80
Yago Dora
+863
$192.60
Griffin Colapinto
+893
$198.60
Jordy Smith
+1005
$221.00
Cole Houshmand
+1780
$376.00
Barron Mamiya
+2321
$484.20
Leonardo Fioravanti
+2363
$492.60
Joao Chianca
+2655
$551.00
Crosby Colapinto
+2850
$590.00
Joel Vaughan
+3179
$655.80
Rio Waida
+3244
$668.80
Kanoa Igarashi
+3384
$696.80
Jake Marshall
+3659
$751.80
Alan Cleland
+3776
$775.20
George Pittar
+3868
$793.60
Morgan Cibilic
+4639
$947.80
Seth Moniz
+4685
$957.00
Connor O'Leary
+6479
$1,315.80
Ramzi Boukhiam
+8672
$1,754.40
Samuel Pupo
+8909
$1,801.80
Alejo Muniz
+10001
$2,020.20
Miguel Pupo
+11394
$2,298.80
Mateus Herdy
+11394
$2,298.80
Liam O'Brien
+11394
$2,298.80
Callum Robson
+11394
$2,298.80
Expert Pick
Mick Fanning was the last male surfer to successfully defend his Bells Beach title, but we think Jack Robinson can replicate the feat, 11 years later. Four of the last five Champions have surfed with a regular setup, which Robinson has, and his odds are favorable at +799 for the title. Wagering $20.00 on the Aussie stands to payout $179.80.
Event Winner - Women's
The 2024 Bells Beach women’s Champion, Caitlin Simmers, arrives in Victoria as the favorite for top honors. She featured in four finals in 2025, only prevailing in the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro. Despite only one victory across all rounds, Simmers drops in as the lady to beat in the season opener, although the second favorite has momentum on her side. Molly Picklum enters at +377, despite featuring in the last five finals of 2025, and winning three of them, including the WSL Finals Fiji.
One-time winner in 2025, Caroline Marks paddles out in Victoria as the fifth favorite in the pre-event odds. She endured a mellow season last year, but still fought hard to enter the Title Match against Picklum in Fiji. Isabella Nichols returns to the venue that showered her in glory 12 months ago, but she’s priced as a medium-to-long shot at +1482. Outside of her success at this beach and a finals appearance in El Salvador, Nichols struggled to trouble the favorites last year.
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Surfer
Odds
Payout on $20
Caitlin Simmers
+326
$85.20
Molly Picklum
+377
$95.40
Gabriela Bryan
+544
$128.80
Tyler Wright
+809
$181.80
Caroline Marks
+840
$188.00
Erin Brooks
+1093
$238.60
Isabella Nichols
+1482
$316.40
Carissa Moore
+1542
$328.40
Stephanie Gilmore
+1721
$364.20
Brisa Hennessy
+1958
$411.60
Luana Silva
+2678
$555.60
Bettylou Sakura Johnson
+2693
$558.60
Sawyer Lindblad
+3965
$813.00
Francisca Veselko
+4508
$921.60
Lakey Peterson
+4617
$943.40
Sally Fitzgibbons
+8233
$1,666.60
Yolanda Hopkins
+8233
$1,666.60
Bella Kenworthy
+8303
$1,680.60
Alyssa Spencer
+8303
$1,680.60
Anat Lelior
+8303
$1,680.60
Vahine Fierro
+8303
$1,680.60
Nadia Erostarbe
+8303
$1,680.60
Expert Pick
Molly Picklum earns our confidence as the women’s expert pick leading into Bells Beach. The Australian knows these waters well and has a 60% win rate in her last five events. Picklum enters the season opener at +377, possibly paying out $95.40 on a $20.00 bet.
2026 WSL Futures Odds
Men's
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Surfer
Futures Odds
Payout on $20
Gabriel Medina
+315
$83.00
Griffin Colapinto
+395
$99.00
Yago Dora
+529
$125.80
Jack Robinson
+599
$139.80
Ethan Ewing
+619
$143.80
Italo Ferreira
+835
$187.00
Filipe Toledo
+943
$208.60
Jordy Smith
+1526
$325.20
Leonardo Fioravanti
+1787
$377.40
Joao Chianca
+2275
$475.00
Kanoa Igarashi
+2553
$530.60
Cole Houshmand
+2996
$619.20
Crosby Colapinto
+4032
$826.40
Barron Mamiya
+4174
$854.80
Jake Marshall
+4530
$926.00
Eli Hanneman
+8233
$1,666.60
Connor O'leary
+8233
$1,666.60
Seth Moniz
+8233
$1,666.60
Miguel Pupo
+8233
$1,666.60
Rio Waida
+8303
$1,680.60
Marco Mignot
+8375
$1,695.00
Ramzi Boukhiam
+8375
$1,695.00
Alan Cleland
+8375
$1,695.00
Alejo Muniz
+8447
$1,709.40
Joel Vaughan
+8521
$1,724.20
Women's
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Surfer
Futures Odds
Payout on $20
Caitlin Simmers
+286
$77.20
Molly Picklum
+329
$85.80
Erin Brooks
+492
$118.40
Caroline Marks
+699
$159.80
Gabriela Bryan
+817
$183.40
Carissa Moore
+953
$210.60
Bettylou Sakura Johnson
+1200
$260.00
Brisa Hennessy
+1819
$383.80
Tyler Wright
+1941
$408.20
Lakey Peterson
+2264
$472.80
Stephanie Gilmore
+2321
$484.20
Sawyer Lindblad
+3147
$649.40
Isabella Nichols
+3702
$760.40
Bella Kenworthy
+3932
$806.40
Yolanda Hopkins
+7419
$1,503.80
Francisca Veselko
+7419
$1,503.80
Sally Fitzgibbons
+7419
$1,503.80
Luana Silva
+7476
$1,515.20
Vahine Fierro
+7476
$1,515.20
Where to Bet on WSL
The 2026 WSL season is ready for action, and the best surfers on the planet are taking over Bells Beach for the next 11 days. Can Gabriel Medina live up to his favorite status and deliver for the fans? Or will Molly Picklum pick up from where she left off in 2025 and snatch the opener in Victoria?
How Can I Verify if WSL Betting is Legal in My State?
Refer to your sportsbook’s eligibility requirements, terms, and conditions, or contact your state’s gaming commission to verify your state’s WSL betting legality. Most licensed betting platforms restrict access in prohibited states, saving you from the long confirmation process.
Which Sportsbooks Offer WSL Betting?
For the best WSL betting experience, select reputable, regulated sportsbooks like Fanduel, DraftKings, CaesarsSportsbook, and BetMGM. Check event schedules and relevant offers ahead of every WSL competition. Use Underdog Fantasy for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) gaming.
What is the Current Legal Status of Betting on the World Surf League in the US?
The legal status of WSL betting differs from state to state. The lifting of the federal sports betting ban in 2018 (by the Supreme Court) gave states the independence to legalize sports betting. WSL betting is mostly legal in states with regulated sports betting and licensed sportsbooks like Colorado and New Jersey. Check your sportsbooks and state-specific regulations to confirm availability.
What Are the Most Popular Types of Bets for WSL Events?
Common WSL betting options include outright winner bets, head-to-head matchups, and futures bets (predicting season champions). Most platforms also allow prop bets—for example, you can predict the highest wave score in a competition.
Do Sportsbooks Offer Live Betting for WSL?
Yes. Betting platforms like FanDuel and BetMGM have live betting options. Their users can place bets during the WSL competition. For example, bettors can predict the next wave score, who will win the ongoing heat, or whether a competitor will achieve a given aggregate. Note that not all events may qualify for live betting. Check out your sportsbook live betting section for more.
Can I Bet on WSL Events Even If My State Doesn’t Allow Sports Betting?
Consider Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) if your state does not allow sports betting. Unlike traditional betting, DFS falls under a different regulatory framework, making it legal in several jurisdictions. DFS platforms like Underground Fantasy and DraftKings DFS are common in states where sports betting is illegal.
Please refer to Affiliated Operators’ T&C. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
A new video edit titled “Fail to Fiji” chronicles Jacob Willcox’s mental recovery after injury, competitive setbacks and narrowly missing requalification for the World Surf League Championship Tour. Filmmaker Chipo framed the six-month edit around the mental toll of Willcox’s injury and the Newcastle loss, following the Western Australian as he chased swells, tried to rediscover his “why” and ultimately traveled to Fiji to reset and reflect.
Willcox was relegated from the Championship Tour in 2024 and launched a bid to requalify for the 2026 CT. He began the campaign by winning the season’s first Challenger Series event and received a wildcard into the Margaret River Pro, where he beat fellow Australian Oscar Berry in Round One before drawing world champion Yago Dora. Judges did not uphold Dora’s interference claim in that heat, which led to heated words in the water and an alleged on-land confrontation. An injury at the US Open sidelined Willcox for several events and he later suffered an ankle tweak that required rehabilitation. After his promising start his form dipped, producing results of 9th, 25th, 49th, 33rd and 13th at subsequent events. He entered the tour’s final stop at Newcastle sitting 10th in the rankings, finished 49th there and dropped to 12th, missing the top-10 cutoff for automatic promotion back to the CT. The edit and reporting say the injury and a missed heat win in Newcastle cost him requalification.
Willcox said he struggled with “head noise” on the trip home. He chased a Pacific swell to Fiji, linked up with former CT surfer Wade Carmichael and surfed Cloudbreak. He said time in the ocean brought him peace and perspective, and the final footage of the edit is intended to remind viewers why he believes he belongs on the Championship Tour. Willcox intends to return to the Challenger Series for another qualification attempt this year.
The surf world is still buzzing from an electrifying Western Australia Margaret River Pro that saw huge upsets, clutch performances, and eighteen surfers fall victim to the dreaded Mid-Season Cut. In the end, it was Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan claiming her maiden CT victory and local hero Jack Robinson once again proving he’s the best in …
Did you know you can play the World Surf League in Vermont through Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)? World Surf League DFS brings professional surfing to your fingertips. It allows you to take part in real money gaming. All you do in World Surf League DFS is predict how surfers will perform. It could be whether …
Junior surfing took center stage at Willard Beach in Ballito during the Ballito Pro Festival, where the O’Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers opened the program from July 4-6. Competition was halted on day one because of massive surf before resuming on day two as conditions improved, with surfers in the U12 through U18 divisions riding clean, solid four-foot waves. Heat times were shortened from 20 minutes to 15 to keep the schedule on track and to help prepare athletes for the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in early September. Ry Colepeper delivered one of the standout moments with a perfect 10-point wave, and Surfing South Africa general manager Danielle Powis said the event showed the strength of the country’s junior surfing pipeline and the decision to put safety first.
South African surfers also had a strong showing in the WSL O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior, which produced three podium finishes for the home country. Louise Lepront reached her first Ballito Pro Junior final and finished second after Australia’s Charli Hately won with a last-minute wave, 10.90 to 9.83. Lepront’s runner-up finish moved her to No. 1 in the WSL Africa Junior rankings. Kieran Murphy and Emily Jenkinson each finished third, while Simon Winter rose to the top of the WSL Africa Junior men’s rankings.
Brazil’s Ryan Kainalo won the men’s title with a 14.87 total in the final, beating reigning world junior champion Dane Henry. Kainalo also claimed his third Ballito Pro Junior title. Hately won the women’s title.
Best Bets: WSL Bells Beach Pre-Event Odds Analysis 2026
Almost seven months have passed since we last saw the best surfers tearing it up in the WSL Championship Tour, and the wait is officially over. Surfing royalty, Gabriel Medina, starts the season opener as the men’s pre-event odds favorite, while Caitlin Simmers takes the honors in the women’s division. Local fans will no doubt be rooting for the Aussie duo of Jack Robinson and Isabella Nichols, who return to defend the crowns they captured in 2025.
Go beyond just supporting the WSL Bells Beach season opener – check out our partner sportsbooks to get valuable promotions and place your WSL bets. Whether you are backing your favorite surfer or looking for an underdog, our partners offer competitive odds, special playing boosts, and promos designed for surfing fans.
Schedule and How to Watch WSL Bells Beach 2026
The world’s best surfers paddle out at Bells Beach from April 1 to April 11 to kick off the 50th anniversary of the WSL Championship Tour. Competitors are set to drop in for the round one heats on Wednesday, April 1, starting from 7:30 am AEDT. Catch the season-opening surf live from Down Under on ESPN+ or WSL.com and follow the latest results on the dedicated event page.
2026 WSL Bells Beach Odds
Event Winner - Men's
The biggest headline of the season opener is the return of Gabriel Medina. He sat out most of 2025 courtesy of a pectoral injury, but is back in 2026, and enters as the surfer to beat. Medina is followed in the odds table by his compatriot, Filipe Toledo, who last triumphed at Bells Beach in 2022. Toledo endured a quieter campaign last year, but still notched up one victory and a semi-final appearance along the way.
The reigning men’s Champion on this break is the Western Australian, Jack Robinson. He registered two victories last season and progressed to the Fiji Finals before losing out in the opening match to Italo. Ferreira started the 2025 term stronger than he finished. The Brazilian racked up two finals appearances in the first three events, winning once. Moving down the odds sheet, we see Griffin Colapinto, who finished last year on a high, entering four finals in the ultimate six events. However, the American closed out the year winless.
swipe to see more
Expert Pick
Mick Fanning was the last male surfer to successfully defend his Bells Beach title, but we think Jack Robinson can replicate the feat, 11 years later. Four of the last five Champions have surfed with a regular setup, which Robinson has, and his odds are favorable at +799 for the title. Wagering $20.00 on the Aussie stands to payout $179.80.
Event Winner - Women's
The 2024 Bells Beach women’s Champion, Caitlin Simmers, arrives in Victoria as the favorite for top honors. She featured in four finals in 2025, only prevailing in the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro. Despite only one victory across all rounds, Simmers drops in as the lady to beat in the season opener, although the second favorite has momentum on her side. Molly Picklum enters at +377, despite featuring in the last five finals of 2025, and winning three of them, including the WSL Finals Fiji.
One-time winner in 2025, Caroline Marks paddles out in Victoria as the fifth favorite in the pre-event odds. She endured a mellow season last year, but still fought hard to enter the Title Match against Picklum in Fiji. Isabella Nichols returns to the venue that showered her in glory 12 months ago, but she’s priced as a medium-to-long shot at +1482. Outside of her success at this beach and a finals appearance in El Salvador, Nichols struggled to trouble the favorites last year.
swipe to see more
Expert Pick
Molly Picklum earns our confidence as the women’s expert pick leading into Bells Beach. The Australian knows these waters well and has a 60% win rate in her last five events. Picklum enters the season opener at +377, possibly paying out $95.40 on a $20.00 bet.
2026 WSL Futures Odds
Men's
swipe to see more
Women's
swipe to see more
Where to Bet on WSL
The 2026 WSL season is ready for action, and the best surfers on the planet are taking over Bells Beach for the next 11 days. Can Gabriel Medina live up to his favorite status and deliver for the fans? Or will Molly Picklum pick up from where she left off in 2025 and snatch the opener in Victoria?
Place your bets with our partner sportsbooks and check out our WSL Betting Guide if you’re new to the tour.
And remember, bet smart, have fun, and enjoy every wave.
Odds subject to change by sportsbook.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Refer to your sportsbook’s eligibility requirements, terms, and conditions, or contact your state’s gaming commission to verify your state’s WSL betting legality. Most licensed betting platforms restrict access in prohibited states, saving you from the long confirmation process.
For the best WSL betting experience, select reputable, regulated sportsbooks like Fanduel, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetMGM. Check event schedules and relevant offers ahead of every WSL competition. Use Underdog Fantasy for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) gaming.
The legal status of WSL betting differs from state to state. The lifting of the federal sports betting ban in 2018 (by the Supreme Court) gave states the independence to legalize sports betting. WSL betting is mostly legal in states with regulated sports betting and licensed sportsbooks like Colorado and New Jersey. Check your sportsbooks and state-specific regulations to confirm availability.
Common WSL betting options include outright winner bets, head-to-head matchups, and futures bets (predicting season champions). Most platforms also allow prop bets—for example, you can predict the highest wave score in a competition.
Yes. Betting platforms like FanDuel and BetMGM have live betting options. Their users can place bets during the WSL competition. For example, bettors can predict the next wave score, who will win the ongoing heat, or whether a competitor will achieve a given aggregate. Note that not all events may qualify for live betting. Check out your sportsbook live betting section for more.
Consider Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) if your state does not allow sports betting. Unlike traditional betting, DFS falls under a different regulatory framework, making it legal in several jurisdictions. DFS platforms like Underground Fantasy and DraftKings DFS are common in states where sports betting is illegal.
Please refer to Affiliated Operators’ T&C. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Related Posts
Willcox rebounds after CT exit, readies Challenger bid
A new video edit titled “Fail to Fiji” chronicles Jacob Willcox’s mental recovery after injury, competitive setbacks and narrowly missing requalification for the World Surf League Championship Tour. Filmmaker Chipo framed the six-month edit around the mental toll of Willcox’s injury and the Newcastle loss, following the Western Australian as he chased swells, tried to rediscover his “why” and ultimately traveled to Fiji to reset and reflect.
Willcox was relegated from the Championship Tour in 2024 and launched a bid to requalify for the 2026 CT. He began the campaign by winning the season’s first Challenger Series event and received a wildcard into the Margaret River Pro, where he beat fellow Australian Oscar Berry in Round One before drawing world champion Yago Dora. Judges did not uphold Dora’s interference claim in that heat, which led to heated words in the water and an alleged on-land confrontation. An injury at the US Open sidelined Willcox for several events and he later suffered an ankle tweak that required rehabilitation. After his promising start his form dipped, producing results of 9th, 25th, 49th, 33rd and 13th at subsequent events. He entered the tour’s final stop at Newcastle sitting 10th in the rankings, finished 49th there and dropped to 12th, missing the top-10 cutoff for automatic promotion back to the CT. The edit and reporting say the injury and a missed heat win in Newcastle cost him requalification.
Willcox said he struggled with “head noise” on the trip home. He chased a Pacific swell to Fiji, linked up with former CT surfer Wade Carmichael and surfed Cloudbreak. He said time in the ocean brought him peace and perspective, and the final footage of the edit is intended to remind viewers why he believes he belongs on the Championship Tour. Willcox intends to return to the Challenger Series for another qualification attempt this year.
Best Bets: 2024 WSL Shiseido Tahiti Pro Pre-Event Odds Analysis
The surf world is still buzzing from an electrifying Western Australia Margaret River Pro that saw huge upsets, clutch performances, and eighteen surfers fall victim to the dreaded Mid-Season Cut. In the end, it was Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan claiming her maiden CT victory and local hero Jack Robinson once again proving he’s the best in …
How to Play World Surf League DFS in Vermont
Did you know you can play the World Surf League in Vermont through Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)? World Surf League DFS brings professional surfing to your fingertips. It allows you to take part in real money gaming. All you do in World Surf League DFS is predict how surfers will perform. It could be whether …
South Africans earn three podiums in Ballito Junior
Junior surfing took center stage at Willard Beach in Ballito during the Ballito Pro Festival, where the O’Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers opened the program from July 4-6. Competition was halted on day one because of massive surf before resuming on day two as conditions improved, with surfers in the U12 through U18 divisions riding clean, solid four-foot waves. Heat times were shortened from 20 minutes to 15 to keep the schedule on track and to help prepare athletes for the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in early September. Ry Colepeper delivered one of the standout moments with a perfect 10-point wave, and Surfing South Africa general manager Danielle Powis said the event showed the strength of the country’s junior surfing pipeline and the decision to put safety first.
South African surfers also had a strong showing in the WSL O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior, which produced three podium finishes for the home country. Louise Lepront reached her first Ballito Pro Junior final and finished second after Australia’s Charli Hately won with a last-minute wave, 10.90 to 9.83. Lepront’s runner-up finish moved her to No. 1 in the WSL Africa Junior rankings. Kieran Murphy and Emily Jenkinson each finished third, while Simon Winter rose to the top of the WSL Africa Junior men’s rankings.
Brazil’s Ryan Kainalo won the men’s title with a 14.87 total in the final, beating reigning world junior champion Dane Henry. Kainalo also claimed his third Ballito Pro Junior title. Hately won the women’s title.