It is incumbent upon athletes to know what they are consuming at all times. It is not the coaches’, agents’, or governing bodies’ responsibility. The World Anti-Doping Agency asks that national anti-doping agencies distribute the new list.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has published its updated list of banned substances and methods. GLP-1 drugs, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, remain permitted, while the 2027 Prohibited List introduces changes involving cannabinoids, glucocorticoids, and beta-blockers.
Approved by WADA’s executive committee on Sept. 10, the new list takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. It identifies substances and methods prohibited both in and out of competition, as well as those prohibited only in certain sports.
WADA also released a summary of the principal changes from 2026, a redline version highlighting the amendments, and an updated Monitoring Program, which tracks substances that are not prohibited but are being monitored for potential patterns of misuse in sport.
The most significant decision is the continued permitted status of GLP-1 receptor agonists, the use of which has grown rapidly in recent years. WADA’s expert advisory group reviewed the available scientific literature and considered whether the drugs should be added to the Prohibited List, but concluded there is currently insufficient evidence that they meet the criteria for inclusion.
“The Prohibited List Expert Advisory Group and the ExCo considered the status of GLP-1 receptor agonists carefully. However, at this stage, there is insufficient evidence to conclude with confidence that the substances meet the criteria for inclusion on the List,” said Olivier Rabin, WADA’s senior director of science and medicine.
“With one relevant, sport-related scientific study already underway, WADA has initiated a second study examining the effects of these substances on athletes. We anticipate that these studies will provide the data needed to make a firm decision.”
Several other areas have been amended for 2027.
The wording concerning substances of abuse has been revised to clarify how the presence of metabolites should be considered during results management. The cannabinoids section now reflects current scientific understanding of the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)-like effects of commonly encountered cannabinoids, with additional examples intended to help athletes and support personnel identify affected substances.
The title of one category covering hormones and metabolic modulators has also been expanded to reflect current terminology.
Vaginal administration of glucocorticoids has been explicitly added as a permitted route, while details concerning beta-blockers have been harmonized across sports governed by international federations.
Additional examples and explanations have been added to the sections covering non-approved substances, hormones and metabolic modulators, diuretics and masking agents, and cannabinoids, with the stated aim of making prohibited substances easier to identify.
Several substances were also removed from the Monitoring Program after sufficient data indicated they do not currently represent an anti-doping concern.
WADA director general Olivier Niggli urged athletes and those around them to familiarize themselves with the changes before they take effect.
“We encourage athletes, their entourage and all stakeholders to acquaint themselves with the Summary of Major Modifications to avoid the inadvertent use of substances and methods that are prohibited in sport in 2027,” he said.
“In particular, we kindly ask all Anti-Doping Organisations around the world to share the List and its related documents with athletes, their entourage, and other relevant stakeholders under their jurisdiction.”
The Prohibited List is one of nine international standards that will be mandatory for signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code from the beginning of 2027, following the introduction of a new international standard for intelligence and investigations.
WADA reviews the Prohibited List annually in a process that begins in January and draws on scientific and medical research, emerging trends and intelligence from sources including law enforcement agencies and pharmaceutical companies.
A draft is circulated to stakeholders for consultation before being revised and considered by WADA’s health, medical and research committee. The committee then sends its recommendations to the executive committee for final approval at its September meeting.
For a substance or method to be added to the Prohibited List, it must meet at least two of three criteria: it has the potential to enhance sporting performance, it poses an actual or potential health risk to athletes, or it violates what WADA defines as the spirit of sport.
