The LIV Golf League kicks off its 2026 season on February 4 with new players and updated rules. Teams and all changes at a glance.
The LIV Golf season starts on February 4 with several changes and new faces. Along with format adjustments, the prize money and point systems have also been revamped.
More Holes, More Prize Money, and More Points
The LIV Golf League launches in 2026 with an expanded competition format. More rounds, an extended points system, and increased prize money bring significant changes for the new season. A total of 57 players, including 52 permanent team members and five wildcard players, make up the field. These players are spread across 13 teams, each consisting of four professionals, supplemented by wildcards who compete solely in the individual competition. Overall, 14 events will be played with both team and individual rankings.
New Points System: Every Point Counts in the Prize Money Race
Starting in 2026, LIV Golf introduces a more comprehensive points system. Each event awards a total of 1,000 individual points, with the winner receiving 200 points. Crucially, every placement earns points, replacing the previous all-or-nothing system.
In team standings, a major shift also occurs. Whereas previously only the top eight teams earned points, now all teams are awarded points. The winning team gets 30 points, the runner-up 15, and even the last-placed team earns two points. This keeps all teams competitively relevant until the final day.
The financial stakes grow substantially as well: weekly team prize money doubles from five to ten million dollars. From 2026 onwards, every team will receive prize money based on their placement, not just the top finishers. Additionally, a new individual prize money model distributes 2.3 million euros per week among the top individual players from podium teams. In total, 470 million euros in prize money are up for grabs this season.
Team Championship as the Grand Finale of the LIV Golf Tour
The season concludes with the 14th event, the Team Championship, dedicated solely to the team title. The initial rounds are played in a match play format: quarterfinals and semifinals feature two singles matches per team plus a foursome. Sunday is contested in stroke play format, with all four team members playing together and all scores counting. The team with the lowest total score ultimately claims the season’s team championship.