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Mon, September 29, 2025
WADA 2026 Prohibited List
The World Anti-Doping Agency has published its 2026 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods which it agreed in a meeting on 11 September 2025 and will bring into effect on 1 January 2026. It also published the 2026 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes and the 2026 Monitoring Program. The latter includes substances that are not on the list, but that WADA will monitor to detect potential patterns of misuse in sport.
The list forms one of eight International Standards that are mandatory for signatories of the WADA Code, such as International Federations, Major Event Organisations, National Olympic Committees, National Paralympic Committees, National Anti-Doping Organisations or other organisations which have significant relevance within sport. The list outlines which substances and methods are prohibited in and out of competition and which substances are banned in particular sports. The criteria below outline how the substances and methods are decided:
- It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance
- It represents an actual or potential health risk to the athletes
- It violates the spirit of sport
Further examples or clarifications have been added to the following substance classes to help athletes, and their entourage better identify prohibited substances:
- S1. Anabolic agents
- S2. Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics
- S4. Hormone and metabolic modulators
- S6. Stimulants
- The non-diagnostic use of carbon monoxide (CO) has been added to the Prohibited Methods as a new section, M1.4
Olivier Niggli, WADA Director General, stated: “We encourage athletes, their entourage and all stakeholders to acquaint themselves with the Summary of Major Modifications to avoid inadvertent use of substances and methods that are prohibited in sport for 2026. In particular, we kindly ask all Anti-Doping Organisations around the world to share the List and its related documents with athletes, their entourage, and other relevant stakeholders under their jurisdiction.”
WADA has also recently issued revised and new technical guidance on Dried Blood Spot Testing, blood transfusions, and clomifene analysis.
The official statement on the 2026 Prohibited List can be found here.
