Staff WriterLIV Golf is changing gears. The breakaway league that turned the golf world on its head with shotgun starts and team rivalries is now extending its events to 72 holes starting in 2026 — a move that signals both maturity and momentum for the circuit redefining the sport’s boundaries.
Since its explosive debut, LIV Golf has operated on a three-day, 54-hole format. From 2026, every event will stretch across four days, generally teeing off on Thursdays — or in the case of LIV Golf Riyadh presented by ROSHN, a Wednesday start on February 4. The familiar mix of individual and team competition remains intact, only now there’s more of it: more drama, more endurance, and more golf for fans worldwide.
“As we enter our fourth season as a League, the move to 72 holes marks a pivotal new chapter for LIV Golf that strengthens our League, challenges our elite field of players, and delivers more of the world-class golf, energy, innovation and access that our global audience wants,” said Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf CEO. “We’re seeing upward momentum and traction from Hong Kong to Adelaide to Indianapolis, and that heightened interest opens the door to add another day of golf while benefiting our fans, players, marketing partners, and our global media partners.”
O’Neil added, “The most successful leagues around the world – IPL, EPL, NBA, MLB, NFL – continue to innovate and evolve their product, and as an emerging league, we are no different. LIV Golf will always have an eye towards progress that acts in the best interest of LIV Golf and in the best interest of the sport.”
Under the new structure, the individual title will now be decided over 72 holes of stroke play, while the team battle runs concurrently, using the combined individual scores of each team to determine results. The signature shotgun starts — the heart of LIV Golf’s fast-paced appeal — remain in place. The League’s Team Championship format will be revealed at a later date.
For players, the extra day is both a challenge and an opportunity.
“This is a win for the League, and the players,” said Jon Rahm, Legion XIII Captain and reigning two-time Individual Champion. “LIV Golf is a player’s league. We are competitors to the core and we want every opportunity to compete at the highest level and to perfect our craft. Moving to 72 holes is the logical next step that strengthens the competition, tests us more fully, and if the growing galleries from last season are any indication, delivers more of what the fans want.”
Bryson DeChambeau, Crushers GC Captain, sees the shift as a bridge-builder. “Everyone wants to see the best players in the world competing against each other, especially in the majors, and for the good of the game, we need a path forward. By moving to 72 holes, LIV Golf is taking a proactive step to align with the historic format recognized globally. This is a fantastic evolution of the LIV Golf product, showing how our League listens and adapts to create the best possible experience.”
Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann echoed that sentiment: “Moving to 72 holes means more competition, which is what we want. We’re here to compete every round, and this evolution delivers that for our team. More time on-course means more opportunity, whether it’s visibility, performance, or delivering for our fans.”
And from Dustin Johnson, the 4Aces GC Captain and one of LIV’s original marquee names: “Playing 72 holes just feels a little more like the big tournaments we’ve all grown up playing. I’ve always liked the grind of four rounds – it gives the best players a chance to rise to the top. LIV Golf has been a great experience from the start, and I think this makes it even better for the fans and for us out there competing.”
Away from the fairways, the four-day format extends LIV Golf’s already vibrant fan experience. Thursday crowds can expect the same festival atmosphere that’s become synonymous with the League — live music, local food and drink, fan zones, and hospitality experiences, all capped off with concerts and the now-iconic “Party Hole.”
The move isn’t just about sport — it’s about scale. LIV Golf’s 2025 season shattered records for attendance, revenue, and TV audiences, with its FOX Sports partnership driving a 90% year-over-year spike in live U.S. viewership. The League now reaches nearly 900 million households across more than 200 countries.
Looking ahead, LIV Golf’s 2026 schedule spans 10 countries across five continents, including stops in the Middle East, Europe, Australasia, North America, and now Africa — solidifying its position as golf’s most global league. Eleven of the 14 events have already been announced, further proof that the tour’s ambitions aren’t slowing down anytime soon.
Tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now at LIVGolf.com, with fans urged to move fast as inventory remains limited.
In just four years, LIV Golf has gone from golf’s great disruptor to an established global league. The next chapter — four rounds, 72 holes, and a worldwide stage — feels less like a gamble and more like a statement: the revolution isn’t ending; it’s settling in for the long haul.
