The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the 2027 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, which will enter into force on 1 January 2027.

The new List was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee during its meeting on 10 September 2026.

Alongside the 2027 Prohibited List, WADA has also published the 2027 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, a redline version of the List, and the 2027 Monitoring Program.

The Prohibited List is one of WADA’s International Standards and identifies substances and methods that are prohibited in and out of competition, as well as substances prohibited in particular sports.

Key modifications for 2027

According to WADA, the main modifications for 2027 include:

→ revised wording concerning Substances of Abuse, clarifying that the presence of metabolites of these substances should be considered in the results management process where relevant;

→ an updated title for S4.2 under Hormones and Metabolic Modulators to reflect current terminology;

→ changes under S8 Cannabinoids reflecting current scientific knowledge concerning the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)-like effects of commonly encountered cannabinoids, together with additional examples;

→ the addition of vaginal administration of glucocorticoids as a permitted route under S9;

→ harmonisation of details concerning sports disciplines under P1 Beta-blockers among International Federations; and

→ additional examples and clarifications across several substance classes to assist athletes and their entourage in identifying prohibited substances.

WADA has also updated its Monitoring Program, which covers substances that are not included on the Prohibited List but are monitored to identify potential patterns of misuse in sport.

Preparing for the new List

WADA publishes the Prohibited List in advance of its entry into force to give athletes, their entourage and other stakeholders time to familiarise themselves with the modifications.

WADA Director General Olivier Niggli encouraged athletes, their entourage and stakeholders to review the Summary of Major Modifications and called on Anti-Doping Organizations to share the new List and related documents with athletes and other relevant stakeholders under their jurisdiction.

WADA has also provided, or will provide, educational resources through its Code Implementation Support Program (CISP) and the Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL).

These include a CISP checklist for implementing the revised List, which is already available, and an Athlete and Athlete Support Personnel Guide to the 2027 List, expected in December.

Annual review process

The Prohibited List is reviewed annually through a process led by WADA.

The process includes consideration of scientific and medical research, relevant trends and intelligence, consultation with stakeholders, review by WADA’s Health, Medical and Research Committee, and final approval by WADA’s Executive Committee.

The 2027 Prohibited List will enter into force on 1 January 2027.

The List, Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, redline version and Monitoring Program are available through WADA’s official website:
https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-publishes-2027-prohibited-list