The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recently released the 2026 Prohibited List (the List), which details the substances and methods that are banned within sport. Broken down into several categories, the List identifies which substances and methods are prohibited at all times, in-competition only, and within specific sports. 

Following consultation with stakeholders, WADA published the 2026 List on 24 September 2025. This gives athletes and their support personnel sufficient time to make themselves aware of the changes, review any medications they use, and apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if required before the updated List comes into effect on 1 January 2026.

The below sections summarise the major changes to the List for 2026. Please consult the 2026 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes document for the full list of modifications.

Carbon Monoxide

The use of re-breathing systems or equipment to deliver carbon monoxide will be prohibited in 2026, unless performed as a diagnostic procedure under the supervision of a medical or scientific professional. Examples of permitted diagnostic procedures include the use of carbon monoxide to determine an individual’s pulmonary diffusion capacity or when measuring total haemoglobin mass to assess their aerobic capacity.

Inhaled Salmeterol

The allowed use of inhaled salmeterol will be modified in 2026. The total permitted daily dose of 200 micrograms over 24 hours remains unchanged. However, athletes will only be able to therapeutically inhale up to 100 micrograms of salmeterol over any 8-hour period (and not to exceed 200 micrograms over 24 hours). A TUE will be required to cover therapeutic use that exceeds these permitted limits.

Gene and Cell Doping

The use of cell components (e.g. nuclei and organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes) will be added to the existing definition that prohibits the use of normal or genetically modified cells. The inclusion of cell components means that the use of mitochondrial transplantation therapy will also be prohibited in 2026.

Additional examples

Several new examples of prohibited substances have been added to various categories of the List. Please note that these are not new substances being added to the 2026 List for the first time but are additional examples of substances that are already prohibited.

Monitoring Program

WADA has also published the 2026 Monitoring Program which lists substances (not on the Prohibited List) that are currently being monitored for potential misuse in sport.