By Jack Burden

CALGARY, Alberta — It’s not official, but it might as well be.

Speaking during an episode of the TWBC Podcast last weekend at the Under-21 World Championships, IWWF President José Antonio Pérez Priego all but confirmed that Nautique’s time as the federation’s official towboat partner is over.

“Our relationship with Nautique will end at the end of the year,” Pérez said. “They have been a great partner to us… but we’re in the process of moving on.”

While Pérez stopped short of naming the successor, his comments added fuel to long-circulating rumors that Malibu Boats is set to take over the coveted contract starting in 2026.

When pressed directly about whether Nautique would continue, Pérez replied, “Nothing is cast in stone. It could change, but at this moment it doesn’t look like that.”

The IWWF issued a tender earlier this year to six major boat manufacturers, receiving three bids—among them, it’s widely assumed, Malibu, MasterCraft, and Nautique. According to Pérez, the bids were reviewed not only for boat performance but also for financial support, global reach, and logistical capacity across all disciplines, including wakesports.

All boats under consideration have already been approved by the IWWF Tournament Council, Pérez said, and an announcement will come “in the next few weeks.” But the federation will do no more than announce its next partner until Nautique’s contract expires on December 31.

“For us, honoring our commitments is extremely important,” Pérez added. “We will not make any other comments until the first of next year.”

Despite the formality of that timeline, the writing seems to be on the wall. And for many within the sport, it’s the worst-kept secret on the circuit: Malibu is back.