08 Oct, 2025 Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes the 2026 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List), which was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) during its meeting on 11 September 2025 and enters into force on 1 January 2026. We also publish: the 2026 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes as compared to the 2025 List; and the 2026 Monitoring Program, which includes substances that are not on the List, but that WADA wishes to monitor in order to detect potential patterns of misuse in sport. The List is one of the eight International Standards that are mandatory for all Signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). It designates which substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports. 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 2026. 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. Major modifications for 2026 As outlined in the 2026 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, the major modifications for 2026 include the following: 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, and S6. Stimulants. The dosing intervals of salmeterol have been changed to avoid potential ergogenic effects, though the maximum daily delivered dose remains the same. More details have been given about the prohibition of withdrawal of blood and blood components. The non-diagnostic use of carbon monoxide (CO) has been added to the Prohibited Methods as a new section, M1.4. The use of carbon monoxide for diagnostic purposes, such as total hemoglobin mass measurements or the determination of pulmonary diffusion capacity, is not prohibited. Cell components (e.g., nuclei and organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes) have been added to the existing prohibition of using normal or genetically modified cells. It has been clarified in the Glucocorticoids Washout Table that use of sustained-release formulations may result in detectable glucocorticoid levels past the washout period due to prolonged systemic absorption. Annual list review process WADA leads an annual revision process concerning the List, beginning with an initial meeting in January and concluding with the publication of the List by 1 October. This is an extensive consultation process that includes WADA’s List Expert Advisory Group gathering information including the latest scientific and medical research, trends, and intelligence gathered from law enforcement and pharmaceutical companies; circulating a draft List among stakeholders; and, taking their submissions into consideration to revise the draft, followed by review by the Agency’s Health, Medical and Research (HMR) Committee. The HMR Committee then makes its recommendations to WADA’s ExCo, which approves the List during its September meeting. 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: 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 The List is released three months ahead of it taking effect so that athletes, their entourage, and other stakeholders can acquaint themselves with any modifications. Ultimately, athletes are responsible for prohibited substances found in their body and prohibited methods found to have been used. Members of an athlete’s entourage are also liable for Anti-Doping Rule Violations if determined to be complicit. Consequently, if there is any doubt as to the status of a substance or method, it is important that they contact their respective Anti-Doping Organizations (International Federation or National Anti-Doping Organization) for advice. The Therapeutic Use Exemption Program It should be noted that athletes who have a legitimate medical reason for using a prohibited substance or method that is on the List can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to determine whether they meet the criteria outlined in the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE). The TUE Program is a rigorous and necessary part of elite sport and has overwhelming acceptance from athletes, physicians, and anti-doping stakeholders. Educational resources In addition to the documents linked above, WADA has provided, or will provide, educational resources as part of its Code Implementation Support Program (CISP), which can be accessed on the Agency’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL). These resources include: A CISP Checklist – Implementing Revised List (available now) Athlete and ASP Guide to the 2026 List (to be available mid-December) Languages and formats The 2026 Prohibited List, the 2026 Summary of Modifications and Explanatory Notes, and the 2026 Monitoring Program are available for download on WADA’s website in English and French, with Spanish to follow in the coming weeks. Stakeholders wishing to translate the List into other languages are kindly asked to signal their interest to code@wada-ama.org. WADA will then provide the necessary files and, once the translation is finalized, will make the translated List available on the Agency’s website. The List’s mobile-friendly digital edition will go live on 1 January 2026. Source: FIH.hockey
