The Vivo Rio Pro was a winner for the Brazilian economy. Photo: WSL
Brazil will always have a place on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour. While the wave quality may not perfectly fit the “dream tour” mold, the event is too lucrative to drop: the 2025 Vivo Rio Pro generated $33 million (179 million reais) in economic impact.
According to a report conducted by the consultancy company Ernst & Young, the money generated by the 2025 event was a 12 percent increase from the previous year, and up 142 percent compared to 2022.
Over the 11 days of the event, 410,000 people visited Saquarema to watch the competition – won by Cole Houshmand and Molly Picklum – and partake in the various activations that included concerts, an air show, cultural activities, sports, food, surf clinics, a climbing wall, yoga, and a watch party for a Brazilian soccer game.
The report details that the event created 2,665 jobs for the local economy. It put $17.2 million (93 million reais) in the pockets of local families.
“The 2025 edition solidifies the Vivo Rio Pro as the largest event in Rio de Janeiro state outside the capital and among the most important on the national sporting calendar,” said Ivan Martinho, general manager of WSL Latin America. “We broke records for viewership, social media reach, and social and economic impact.”
Given the economic success of the Vivo Rio Pro, it’s no surprise that it’s inked on the calendar again next year. The WSL will return to Saquarema for stop six on the 2026 tour, June 12-20.
