The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published its Prohibited List for 2027, which comes into effect on 1 January 2027 as part of tennis' anti-doping rules.
Alongside the publication of the 2027 Prohibited List, players and support personnel should also be aware of a number of important anti-doping and anti-corruption rule changes that will take effect at the start of next season.
The ITIA will be working closely with players, support personnel, tours and the rest of the tennis family over the coming months to ensure everyone understands the changes and we are collectively prepared for their introduction.
What do players need to know?
While many of the changes relate to how anti-doping cases are managed and may only become relevant if a rule violation occurs, there are several updates that all players and support personnel should be aware of ahead of 2027.
Changes to Whereabouts requirements
Changes to the WADA’s World Anti-Doping Code will require all players in a sport’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP) to provide a daily 60-minute time slot in competition.
Previously, tennis has benefited from an exemption because of the complexity and unpredictably of players’ schedules. In 2027, this exemption is no longer available to us or any other sport.
As a result, the ITIA has developed a solution in consultation with WADA which balances both our obligation to follow the Code and the unique challenge this rule change presents to tennis players.
The ITIA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP) will be vastly reduced, with more players (around 80% of the current RTP cohort) moving into an expanded testing pool, where the 60-minute time slot will not be required.
Players who remain in the reduced RTP will be required to provide a daily 60-minute time slot like athletes in every WADA-compliant sport, both in and out of competition. The ITIA will provide dedicated resources, training and educational support to these players and their support teams in the weeks ahead.
The number of players selected across both testing pools will remain broadly consistent with the current testing pools, and we anticipate that testing frequency and volume will not change from previous years.
All players currently included in the ITIA’s testing pools, or selected to be included for 2027, will be notified of their status, which group they will be in, and how to meet their whereabouts requirements, including the addition of a “primary training location” replacing the current ‘regular activity’, in November.
Consistent with our current approach to the RTP, a combined list of players from both testing pools will be published and kept up to date on the ITIA website and app. It will not be publicly disclosed which individual pool each player is in.
These changes do not alter the requirement for all players, whether they are in a testing pool or not, to provide a sample when notified by a Doping Control Officer (DCO), inside or outside of their 60-minute time slot (if they have one).
Refusing to provide a sample when notified by a DCO carries significant consequences, and a sanction of up to four years.
Additional changes:
Greater protection in contamination cases
The new rules provide greater protection for players who can establish that a positive test was caused by contamination.
This broader approach recognises that contamination can arise from several sources, including medication, food and drink, environmental exposure, or another individual.
More flexibility in sanctions
The updated rules provide greater flexibility when sanctions are determined in certain circumstances, including additional rehabilitation-focused options for some recreational drug cases unrelated to sports performance.
Clarification of Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) rules
Players who require a TUE will need to apply directly to the ITIA, while players with existing NADO TUEs will need to submit a recognition application.
Clarification of wagering rules
The anti-corruption rules will make clear that existing restrictions on wagering and promotion also apply to prediction markets, fantasy sports competitions and sweepstakes involving money and tennis, under the longstanding definitions in the rules.
How will the ITIA support players?
The ITIA will provide a range of educational resources and practical guidance over the coming months to prepare for the new season, including:
- webinars and Q&A sessions
- player-focused explainer content
- FAQs and guidance documents
- direct communications to affected players and support personnel
- additional support through the ITIA team and The Line.
Players and support personnel who have questions about medications, supplements, TUEs, whereabouts obligations or any of the upcoming rule changes are encouraged to seek advice as early as possible.
Nicole Sapstead OBE, Senior Director for Anti-Doping, said: “We encourage all players and support personnel to take the time to understand both the 2027 Prohibited List and the wider rule changes that will come into effect on 1 January 2027.
“Most players will not be affected by every change, but there are some important updates, particularly around whereabouts requirements and the way certain anti-doping cases may be handled.
“Our message is simple: if you are unsure, ask. We are here to help players and support personnel understand the rules, avoid unnecessary mistakes, and compete with confidence.”
Ends
Notes for editors
On 21 September 2026, WADA published the Prohibited List for 2027, which can be accessed here.
WADA has also provided a Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, which explains the changes from the 2026 List in more detail.
A number of substances have been removed from WADA’s Monitoring Program after review. However, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, remain on the Monitoring Program heading into 2027. We have recently issued specific guidance on peptides.
Published 21 October 2026 11:00
