9 New Wave Pools Opening in 2026: What to Expect
2026 is shaping up to be the biggest year in wave pool history, with 9 major facilities currently under construction across 4 continents. From Madrid to São Paulo, the wave pool map is about to get a lot more crowded. Here’s everything we know about each upcoming opening.
Europe
Gemswell Surf Madrid, Spain — Spain’s first major wave pool will use Wavegarden’s largest model, the Cove 56, making it one of the biggest installations in Europe. Located on the outskirts of Madrid, it will bring surfing to a landlocked city of 6.7 million people with no access to ocean waves. This could be a game-changer for European surf culture.
Surfers Cove, Óbidos, Portugal — Portugal already has some of the best natural waves in the world, so a wave pool here might seem redundant. But Surfers Cove is positioned as a complement to ocean surfing — offering guaranteed conditions year-round when the Atlantic isn’t cooperating. The Wavegarden Cove facility will benefit from Portugal’s surf tourism infrastructure and could become a training hub for European competitive surfers.
North America
The Point Surf Park, Fellsmere, Florida — Using Endless Surf’s ES36 technology, this will be one of the largest wave pools in the United States. Central Florida’s location makes it accessible to both the massive Orlando tourism market and Florida’s East Coast surf community.
Koa Bay, Fort Pierce, Florida — Florida’s second new wave pool uses Wavegarden’s Cove 56 system. The sunshine state is emerging as America’s wave pool capital with two major new facilities opening in the same year.
DSRT Surf, Palm Desert, California — Adding another wave pool to the southern California desert scene (alongside the already-operational Palm Springs Surf Club), DSRT Surf will use Wavegarden Cove technology.
Middle East
Aquarabia / Surftopia, Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia — Part of Saudi Arabia’s massive $8 billion Qiddiya entertainment megaproject outside Riyadh, Aquarabia will use Endless Surf ES32 technology. The facility is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 diversification strategy and will be one of the most ambitious wave pool projects ever attempted.
South America
Brasil Surfe Clube, São Paulo, Brazil — This is perhaps the most significant opening on the list. Using Endless Surf’s massive ES48 system, it will bring wave pool surfing to a metropolitan area of 22 million people in the country with the second-largest surf population on Earth. The potential impact on Brazilian surf culture is enormous.
El Nido, Punta del Este, Uruguay — Bringing Wavegarden Cove technology to one of South America’s most prestigious resort destinations. Punta del Este already attracts wealthy tourists from Argentina, Brazil, and beyond — El Nido will add surfing to the luxury offering.
What This Means for Surfers
By the end of 2026, there will be approximately 28 major wave pools worldwide — nearly double the number from just two years ago. More importantly, the geographic spread is widening: pools are coming to landlocked cities (Madrid), emerging surf markets (Saudi Arabia), and major population centers (São Paulo) where ocean access is limited.
Competition between facilities is also driving innovation and pushing prices down. As more pools open, surfers will have more options and better value than ever before.
We’ll add W.A.V.E.S. ratings for each new pool as soon as they open and can be properly evaluated. Follow our blog for opening date updates and first reviews, and track all facilities on our interactive map.