The World Anti Doping Agency’s Prohibited List 2026

Written by Fatin Ismail

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reports that the 2026 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (‘the List’) came into force on 1 January 2026. The List was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee on 11 September 2025 and is one of the eight international standards which are mandatory for signatories of the WADA Code. The List designates substances and methods which are prohibited both in and out of competition and specific substances banned in particular sports. 

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. 

(Source: WADA Website 2026)

The List was released three months ahead of it coming into force to give time to athletes, their entourage, and other stakeholders to acquaint themselves with any modifications.

Athletes are ultimately responsible for any prohibited substances found in their body and for prohibited methods found to have been used.

The full List of Prohibited Substances and Methods 2026 can be accessed here. 

Published on 6 January 2026