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57th Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Launches on a ‘Wave of Unity’
09 June 2026
The 57th Ballito Pro Presented by O'Neill returns to Willard Beach in KwaDukuza from 4 to 18 July 2026 under the theme Wave of Unity (#WaveOfUnity #IgagaziLobumbano #Lobunye), bringing world-class surfing, music, beach culture and family entertainment to the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.
One of the world's longest-running professional surfing events, the Ballito Pro has become one of South Africa's most iconic sporting and lifestyle festivals. The 2026 edition coincides with two major global sporting milestones – the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the World Surf League's celebration of 50 years of the World Tour – with this year's programme drawing inspiration from both.
Hosted in KwaDukuza for the 17th year, the event continues to be a significant driver of tourism, youth development and economic growth in the iLembe region through partnerships between the KwaDukuza Municipality, World Surf League (WSL), Surfing South Africa (SSA), O'Neill and other stakeholders.
The Ballito Pro also marks Stop No. 1 of the 2026 WSL Challenger Series, the pathway to the elite Championship Tour. This landmark season celebrates 50 years of crowning world champions and introduces several changes to the Championship Tour format, including an expanded women's field, the removal of non-elimination rounds, and the return of the Pipe Masters as the season-ending World Title decider.
Sporting Highlights
Visitors can look forward to:
- WSL Challenger Series surfing featuring the world's top emerging surfers competing for Championship Tour qualification
- Ballito Open QS2000 Event and WSL Junior competitions
- O'Neill SMTH Shapes Rookie Rippers showcasing South Africa's next generation of surfing talent
- iLembe Development Surf Programme and youth surf initiatives
- Surf & Turf Celebrity Tag Team Event featuring surfers, soccer stars and rugby personalities
- Extreme sports showcases including skateboarding, BMX and Red Bull activations
- Youth Month and FIFA-themed community activations, including soccer tournaments and public match screenings
Entertainment and Lifestyle Highlights also include:
- Ballito Pro Music Concerts Presented by Corona featuring leading South African artists
- Corona Sunset Sessions hosted throughout the festival
- Battle of the DJs Competition and After Dark entertainment experiences
- Beach entertainment, fashion showcases, volleyball, soccer and family activities
- Coastal and cultural tourism experiences highlighting KwaDukuza and the iLembe region
Sustainability Focus
Environmental responsibility remains a key focus, with ocean conservation campaigns led by Litter4Tokens and WESSA, alongside beach clean-ups, recycling initiatives and marine protection programmes.
Mayor of KwaDukuza Municipality, Cllr Siduduzo Gumede, said the event continues to place the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast on the global stage while creating meaningful opportunities for the local economy and community.
The Ballito Pro Presented by O'Neill will run from 4 to 18 July 2026 at Willard Beach, KwaDukuza.
For more information, visit www.theballitopro.com Visitors planning a trip to the festival can also explore some Ballito’s favourite restaurants here: Ballito Restaurants
Fiamma Grill
Ballito, Kwazulu Natal Continental, Grills, Italian, Mediterranean, Pizza, Seafood, Sushi, Vegetarian
Fiamma Grill in Ballito specialises in quality grade cuts of matured meat and carefully selected seafood dishes. We are an Italian Grill House catering for families, functions, and romantic occ...
