The largest professional surfing competition in the world—the US Open of Surfing—is set to run July 31 through August 8 at the Huntington Beach Pier. This year’s presenting sponsors, Hurley, Nike 6.0 and Converse and producers IMG Action Sports have together with the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) joined forces to once again take the event to the next level—ASP Prime status—which promises to attract an even larger pool of the world’s top ASP World Tour athletes to the competition.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Huntington Beach-based pro surfer Brett Simpson said in an ASP press release. “It’s a huge addition to this year’s high class ASP Prime series. It always turns out to be one of the more dramatic events of the year, and the addition of ASP Prime status is indicative of the prestige and audience numbers surrounding the event. The top surfers come to Surf City in the prime time of summer as they battle it out in the biggest arena on the globe.”

The nine-day event—a 50-year tradition—will play host to a field of 500 world-class surfers and spectators numbering in the range of 500,000 at the 20,000 square foot Festival Village and Surf Stadium. The Festival Village will feature over 100 exhibits by action sports retail companies, music, autograph signings, food, prize giveaways and live bands on the concert stage as well as BMX and skateboarding competition venues. The event is free to the public.

For more information including a full schedule of non-surfing events and a live webcast, log on to www.usopenofsurfing.com.