WADA publishes 2027 Prohibited List

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the 2027 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, which enters into force on 1 January 2027. It designates which substances and methods are prohibited both in and out of competition and which substances are banned in particular sports.

For a substance or method to be added to the List, it must be determined that it meets at least two of the following three criteria:

1. It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance 
2. It represents an actual or potential health risk to the athletes 
3. It violates the spirit of sport 

Alongside the List, you can find the 2027 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory notes, the redline version of the 2027 List, and the 2027 Monitoring Program, which includes substances that are not on the List, but that WADA will monitor for potential misuse.

The major modifications for the 2027 Prohibited List include the following:

• Introduction: The wording of Substances of Abuse was changed to clarify that the presence of metabolites of these substances should be considered in the results management process if relevant. 
• S4. Hormones and metabolic modulators: the title of S4.2 was expanded to reflect current terminology for substances in this class. 
• S8. Cannabinoids: changes were made to reflect current scientific knowledge on the delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) like-effects of commonly encountered cannabinoids.  To illustrate this, several examples were added. 
• S9. Glucocorticoids: Vaginal glucocorticoid administration was added as a permitted route. 
• P1. Beta-blockers: the details on sports disciplines were harmonized among International Federations. 

General: Further examples or clarifications have been added to the following substance classes to help athletes and their entourage better identify prohibited substances:   

• S0. Non-approved substances, 
• S4. Hormone and metabolic modulators,  
• S5. Diuretics and masking agents, and   
• S8. Cannabinoids.  

Regarding the Monitoring Program, several substances were removed, as enough data were gathered showing that at present, they do not represent a concern for anti-doping. 

It should be noted that the status of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, will remain unchanged for 2027 pending further data becoming available on the possible effects on athletes who take them. GLP-1 receptor agonists are substances that are now widely used in society. Examples of GLP-1 receptor agonists include medicines such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, which are commonly used for weight management and diabetes.

WADA Director General, Olivier Niggli, said: “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 2027. In particular, we kindly ask all Anti-Doping Organizations around the world to share the List and its related documents with athletes, their entourage, and other relevant stakeholders under their jurisdiction.”  

Further information and resources can be found on WADA’s website here.

• Previous
• Next