The new LIV Golf League season kicks off on February 4 with new players and rules. An overview of teams and key changes.
The LIV Golf season begins on February 4 with several changes and new faces. Alongside format adjustments, prize money and point systems have been updated.
More Holes, More Prize Money, and More Points
The LIV Golf League launches in 2026 with an expanded competition concept. More rounds, a revised points system, and increased prize money bring several changes for the new season. A total of 57 players, including 52 permanent team members and five wildcard players, make up the field. Divided into 13 teams, each with four pros plus the wildcards who compete only in the individual ranking. There will be 14 events featuring both team and individual competitions.
New Points System: Every Point Counts Toward the Prize Money Fight
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.
The team ranking also sees a paradigm shift. Whereas previously only the top 8 teams earned points, now all teams are rewarded. The winner receives 30 points, the runner-up 15, and even the last-placed team earns two points, keeping every team competitively relevant until the final day.
The economic dimension grows significantly as well: weekly team prize money doubles from five to ten million dollars. From 2026 onward, every team earns prize money based on their ranking, not just the best. Additionally, a new individual prize model distributes 2.3 million euros weekly among the top individual players from podium teams. Overall, 470 million euros in prize money are up for grabs this season.
Team Championship as the LIV Golf Tour’s Grand Finale
The season concludes with the 14th event, the Team Championship, which is dedicated solely to the team title. Initially played in match play format: the quarterfinals and semifinals involve two singles matches (1-on-1) and one fourball per team. The final day is stroke play, where all four players compete together, and all scores count. The team with the lowest total score wins the season’s team championship.
Teams Overview
Notably, the teams show a stronger focus on national identity. Increasingly, teams embody a national orientation emphasizing cultural identity. The former Iron Heads GC will compete as Korean Golf Club in 2026, highlighting Korea’s cultural identity. The Southern Guard GC (formerly Stinger Golf Club) emphasizes South African culture. There is also the all-Australian team Ripper GC, Majesticks GC representing England, and Fireballs GC representing Spain.
With 10 players leaving the league and new wildcard spots, there are 12 personnel changes across the teams.
Cleeks Golf Club: Martin Kaymer, Richard Bland, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez (new for Frederik Kjettrup)
4 Aces GC: Dustin