Here's 11 Reasons to Attend This Year's 2026 US Open of Surfing

For me, summer is, and always has been, synonomous with the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. From the surf action to the activities on the beach, concerts meeting up with friends to enjoy it all and more, it's the annual event that I (and so many others) always look forward to.

Though the US Open of Surfing has marked my summers for years, the contest never gets stale. Why? Because it's so different from year to year: different surfers vying for glory, different bands rocking out, different athletes doing meet and greets ... So what do we have to look forward to this year?

I spoke with the team organizing the event, and oh man, where do I start. Truth be told, this year's 9 day festival is (dare I say) shaping up to be the very best one yet.

Here's 11 reasons why you need to be there from Saturday, July 25, through Sunday, August 2, 2026.

1. It's Completely Free

Let's start with the most obvious: The US Open of Surfing is open to the public and free to attend. Think about it: 9 days of world-class surfing, sunshine, and beach culture, all at no cost to walk in.

Since the event is free, you can spend your hard earned cash on a slice of Duke's legendary Hula Pie, an ice-cold signature Duke's Mai Tai mixed with fresh tropical juices right on the water, and tickets to see Local Natives light up the beach stage on Saturday, August 1 at 6pm.

2. Watch the World's Best Chase the Elite Tour

If you didn't already know, the US Open of Surfing can make or break your competitive surfing career.

The contest itself serves as Stop No. 2 of the WSL Challenger Series, and a win here locks in a massive 10,000 ranking points ... the maximum available on the qualifying circuit.

Because only a handful of year-end leaderboard spots earn promotion to the elite Championship Tour, a Huntington Beach victory can fast-track a surfer's career into the big leagues.

Best of all? You get to watch all the drama and action unfold from the comfort of your own beach chair and umbrella.

3. Witness the Style and Nose Rides of the World Longboard Tour

The US Open of Surfing isn't all about high octane airs and power turns from shortboarders. The action also includes longboarders similarly competing for their careers.

This event serves as the first of the WSL World Longboard Tour. So, from the beach, you can watch elite world champions like Soleil Errico and Taylor Jensen tiptoe to the nose of 9-foot single-fins, locking in extended hang-tens and spray-infused turns right in front of you.

4. Experience Adaptive Surfing

If you want to witness something inspiring, and something (in my opinion) you'll never forget, come for the adaptive surfing heats. This includes surfers who, despite facing physical challenges that in many cases were life threatning, vowed to surf again.

Watch icons like five-time world champion and retired Marine Sarah Bettencourt, and Purple Heart recipient José Martinez, who attacks the prone division with a fearless, all-out style.

You’ll also see multi-sport Paralympic gold medalist Alana Nichols tearing up the waveski category, alongside local standout Jeff Munson slicing high-speed lines right through the volatile pier-bowl.

It's entertaining, empowering, and inspiring: three things you can rarely witness anywhere else.

5. You're Standing on Sacred Ground

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efOoswNVAuA

The history of this beach runs deeper than most realize.

In 1925, Hawaiian Olympic champion and surfing pioneer Duke Kahanamoku visited Huntington Beach and surfed around the pier with local lifeguards. On June 14th of that year, when a fishing boat capsized off the coast, Kahanamoku paddled out through heavy surf to rescue the crew, a feat that showed California the value of surfboards in lifesaving.

His prowess, skill, and aloha basically weaved surfing into the fabric of Huntington Beach.

More than 100 years later, Huntington Beach is home to the Surfing Hall of Fame, the Surfing Walk of Fame, the world-renowned Huntington Beach International Surf Museum, and a towering bronze Duke Kahanamoku statue, watching over it all.

When you're standing on that sand watching the US Open, you're standing on the same ground where modern surf culture in America was born.

6. Three Nights of Live Music Steps from the Ocean

Come for the surfing, stay for the music: there will be a handful of concerts held during the 9 day festival, including:

• Day one kicks off on Saturday, July 25 with G. Love and Special Sauce alongside Orange County native Matt Costa.

• Real Estate takes the Music Stage on Friday, July 31, and Local Natives and Arcy Drive close out the festival on Saturday, August 1.

• Tickets start at $69 for general admission and $119 for VIP, and for the first time, fans can purchase a festival pass to gain access to all three shows for $199 general admission or $349 VIP.

  
  

7. Duke's Hula Pie Alone Is Worth the Drive

You can eat a mediocre burger at any beach in California. At the US Open of Surfing, you eat steps from one of the most storied surf restaurants in the country (or should I say the world?).

Duke's Huntington Beach sits right at the entrance to the pier, named for Duke Kahanamoku himself and serves Hawaiian-inspired cuisine including fresh seafood, prime steaks, tropical cocktails, and their world-famous Hula Pie, topped off with panoramic (and air conditioned) Pacific Ocean views.

If you're asking my opinion, their Seared Ahi Bowl and their crispy coconut panko-crusted shrimp are standouts.

If Duke's has a wait, Sandy's Beach Shack nearby serves steakhouse tacos stuffed with grilled filet, caramelized onions, mushrooms, horseradish crema, and blue cheese crumbles.

The bottom line is that regardless of the type of food you're in the mood for, you can find it at the US Open of Surfing.

8. An Event for Every Member of the Family (Even the Non-Surfers)

We've talked about the surf action, the music, the food ... but that's not all. One of my personal favorites: the activities that surround the event, which include:

• live surfboard-shaping masterclasses from some of the best in the biz

• public beach clean-ups spearheaded by WSL One Ocean and Shiseido

• experiential brand setups featuring with free samples

• athlete meet-and-greets (selfies welcome!)

• and more

  
  

9. Enjoy the Iconic Huntington Beach Pier Setting

Ready for a bold statement? Here it is: there is no better backdrop for professional surfing anywhere in America.

Here's why: The southside of the Huntington Beach Pier puts spectators right on top of the action, with an unobstructed view of every wave, every aerial, and every crowd-gasping wipeout.

Huntington Beach's geography makes it what I would call a swell magnet: it pulls in swells from west, northwest, southwest, and south directions, combined with consistent morning offshore winds from the northeast that groom the surface and produce quality waves year-round.

Specifically in late July and early August, long-period summer swells light up the pier break. And when the sets go quiet between heats, you're still standing on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in California with the pier stretching out over the Pacific in front of you.

Simply put, there's no better place to be during July and August than the sands of Huntington Beach.

10. High-Flying Skate and BMX Action Takes Over the Sand

Surfing, music, food, activities ... you guessed it, there's more! Custom-built ramps right on the sand turn the beach into a high-octane venue running parallel to the surf heats. It's quite possibly the most adrenaline fueled environment you can experience. Here's what you can expect:

• Elite pro skate and BMX qualifiers kick off the high-energy opening weekend on July 25–26.

• The official championship finals take over the closing weekend on August 1–2.

• Weekdays feature open public sessions and athlete demos.

• Similar to the surfing event, the contest itself draws an international field of transition and street skaters, culminating in weekend finals that feature the Nitro Circus’ Full Throttle FMX crew launching backflips directly over the shoreline.

11. You Can Get There With or Without a Car

Even though the US Open of Surfing is a huge event, parking is straight-forward ... if you know how to do it.

If you are driving, plan to arrive early: ideally before 8:00 a.m. The closest structures are:

• Main Promenade Parking Structure (200 Main St.)

• Strand Parking Structure (155 5th St.)

• You can also try the City Beach lots along Pacific Coast Highway, though you should expect heavy traffic delays.

Because parking is notoriously tough during peak hours, the ultimate local hack is skipping the car entirely. If you're heading to the event on two wheels, there's a free Surf City USA Bike Valet on 5th Street in Downtown Huntington Beach, open both weekends of the event. It lets you park your bike in a secure location at no charge.

Skip the parking headache entirely, roll in straight from the beach path, and spend the cash you saved on a slice of Hula Pie instead. That's what I'll be doing.

The Bottom Line

There is no other event quite like it: 9 straight days where the world's best surfers chase a world title, live bands play on the sand at sunset, and the entire city of Huntington Beach becomes one giant celebration of surf culture.

Huntington Beach is not only a necessary stop on any surf pilgrimage; it's one of the top tourism destinations in the world, and for good reason. A hundred years after Duke Kahanamoku first paddled out here and changed everything, the US Open of Surfing is the living proof of what he left behind.

We'll see you there!

Learn more by visiting usopenofsurfing.com.