More TV coverage, record prize money and global expansion: the LPGA Tour is entering a new era in 2026.
Starting in 2026, every round of the LPGA Tour will be broadcast live for the first time in its history. Thanks to a new partnership with FM, Golf Channel, Trackman, and CNBC, fans will experience unprecedented access to the action. The enhanced coverage includes slow-motion replays, drone footage, tee-box microphones, and shot tracing on nearly every hole. Newly appointed Commissioner Craig Kessler calls it the start of a new chapter: the LPGA Tour doesn’t just want to show what happens—it wants viewers to feel it. His message is clear: visibility is not a side note, but a core pillar of a growing tour.
Craig Kessler’s vision: structure, trust, and future growth
Since taking over as Commissioner in the summer, Craig Kessler has brought a strategic perspective from his previous roles at PGA of America, Topgolf, and in consulting. His approach is based on the ‘flywheel’ model: improve the product, attract more fans, increase media rights and sponsorships, and reinvest the revenue into the tour. Financially, the LPGA Tour is stepping up. The 2026 season will feature a record $128 million in prize money across 31 events, with 14 tournaments seeing increases of up to $2 million each. Behind the scenes, Kessler is building trust by engaging directly with players in their hometowns. “There’s no single way to build trust,” he says. “But without it, nothing moves forward.”
LPGA Tour goes global with expanded calendar and streaming deals
The LPGA Tour is also embracing a stronger international focus. The 2026 schedule spans 13 countries, including two Asia swings and one in Europe. Supporting this expansion, Japanese platform U-NEXT will exclusively stream all tournaments and women’s majors starting in 2026. Japan, already home to several LPGA winners this season, is seen as a key market with strong fan engagement. The tour is reinforcing this with year-round content availability. A women’s major in Asia? Kessler’s response: “Absolutely.”