Big changes are coming to LIV Golf in 2026 as the lucrative competition moves from a 54-hole format to the more traditional 72 holes per event. The no-cut stipulation remains, but field sizes increase from 54 to 57.
Away from the format, we will also see new stars competing in the fifth season of the Saudi PIF-backed competition. Six players from 2025 depart via the relegation system. One of those was a wild card, but that still leaves spots to fill on the rosters of five of the 13 teams.
Transfer Window Open
With the transfer window opening in October, teams are free to trade and sign players. The top 24 players from 2025 keep their place with their current teams. They must also be offered a minimum one-year contract extension if their current deal has expired. Out-of-contract players can either accept this new offer or enter Free Agency to join another team.
The players who filled the 25-48 positions have no such guarantees. They may be offered a new deal by their current team or move elsewhere. If no team offers a deal, they may drop out of the league. Eugenio Chacarra, Pat Perez, and John Catlin all finished in the 25-48 zone in 2024 but ultimately lost their place in the league. However, early indications suggest that we won’t see a repeat of that scenario ahead of the 2026 season.
Those who finished in the 49-54 positions in 2025 lose their place in the competition. The unfortunate six must attempt to win their way back via the International Series Rankings or the LIV Golf Promotions tournament in January.
Perez and Canter Sign Up
As the days tick down towards the season-opening tournament in Riyadh on 4th February 2026, two of the vacant roster slots have been filled.
The first new addition is three-time European Tour winner Victor Perez. The 33-year-old, who represented France at the 2024 Olympic Games, announced his LIV move shortly after withdrawing from the RSM Classic in November. The offer to join LIV came at a good time, as Perez was ranked 108th on the PGA Tour and in danger of losing his playing status.
Perez joins Cleeks GC, taking the spot vacated by the relegated Frederik Kjettrup. Looking ahead to the move, Perez said:
“Joining Cleeks Golf Club for the 2026 season feels like joining golf’s next great chapter, as this club continues to push boundaries, perform at the highest level, and bring fresh energy and vision to the game.”
The second new signing is 36-year-old Englishman Laurie Canter. The Bath native enjoyed an excellent 2025, headlined by a second DP Tour win in Bahrain. His consistency earned him a seventh-place finish in the Race to Dubai Standings and his first PGA Tour Card. Canter has rejected the PGA opportunity and replaces the relegated Henrik Stenson at Majesticks GC.
For Canter, who completes an all-English Majesticks line-up, this won’t be his first experience of LIV Golf. He played in the inaugural Centurion Club event in 2022 and went on to make 20 appearances as a reserve before losing his place in 2024. Returning as a two-time DP Tour winner, he will hope to fare better this time.
Vincent and Asaji Claim International Series Spots
Two LIV spots are awarded to the top two finishers in the 2025 International Series Rankings. Following a close battle over the final events, those spots have been claimed by Scott Vincent and Yosuke Asaji.
This will represent a fourth season in LIV Golf for Zimbabwean Vincent. First appearing in 2022, he finished in the top 24 in 2023, before dropping into the relegation positions in 2024.
Japanese star Asaji claimed second spot in the International Series Rankings when winning the Moutai Singapore Open in November. Despite missing the cut in the final event of the series, he held on to secure his position. Expressing his delight, the 32-year-old stated:
“I never expected to earn a spot in LIV Golf, so I feel very fortunate. I see this as a reward for giving my best at each tournament.”
LIV Golf has not yet confirmed which teams Vincent and Scott will represent in 2026. Two more additions to the 2026 roster will be determined at the LIV Golf Promotions tournament at Black Diamond Ranch, Lecanto, Florida, in January. In addition to a share of the $1.5 million prize money, the top two finishers will earn a place in the LIV Golf 2026.
Stenson Headlines Relegated Six
As ever, the arrival of new players comes at the expense of others. The six players to drop out of the competition in 2026 are:
- Henrik Stenson – The headline-grabbing relegation. Stenson was the co-owner and co-captain of Majesticks GC. Following his relegation, the 2016 Open winner is expected to return to the DP World Tour in 2026
- Andy Ogletree – Having played one event in 2022 and three in 2023, Ogletree registered two top 6 finishes in his first full season in 2024. Following a 2025 season with no top 10 finishers, he loses his place in the HyFlyers GC team
- Mito Pereira – Joining fellow Chilean Joaquin Niemann on team Torque GC in 2023, Pereira finished eighth in his debut season, 47th in 2024, and slipped to 51st in 2025
- Yu-bin Jang – Jang joined Kevin Na’s Iron Heads GC side ahead of the 2025 season, but struggled to a 53rd-place finish. Still only 23, he has time on his side to bounce back
- Frederik Kjettrup – The 25-year-old Dane was an exciting addition to Cleeks GC ahead of the 2025 season. However, he endured a desperately disappointing campaign, failing to pick up a single point and finishing bottom of the standings
- Anthony Kim – A three-time PGA Tour winner, Kim was ranked as high as number six in the world at his peak. Undergoing surgery in 2012, he was expected to miss 12 months but instead left the game for 12 years. Making a surprise return, he joined LIV Golf in 2024 but was relegated at the end of his second season
LIV GOLF: 2026 Teams
- 4Aces – Dustin Johnson (c), Patrick Reed, Thomas Pieters, Harold Varner III
- Legion XII – Jon Rahm (c), Tyrrell Hatton, Caleb Suratt, Tom McKibbin
- Ripper GC – Cameron Smith (c), Marc Leishman, Matt Jones, Lucas Herbert
- Stinger GC – Louis Oosthuizen (c), Dean Burmester, Branden Grace, Charl Schwartzel
- Range Goats GC – Bubba Watson (c), Ben Campbell, Peter Uihlein, Matt Wolff
- HyFlyers GC – Phil Mickelson (c), Brendan Steele, Cameron Tringale, TBC
- Crushers GC – Bryson DeChambeau (c), Paul Casey, Charles Howell III, Anirban Lahiri
- Fireballs – Sergio Garcia (c), Abraham Ancer, Josele Ballester, David Puig
- Majesticks – Ian Poulter (c), Lee Westwood (c), Sam Horsfield, Laurie Canter
- Smash GC – Brooks Koepka (c), Talor Gooch, Jason Kokrak, Graeme McDowell
- Iron Heads GC – Kevin Na (c), Danny Lee, Jinichiro Kozuma, TBC
- Torque GC – Joaquin Niemann (c), Sebastian Munos, Carlos Ortiz, TBC
- Cleeks GC – Martin Kaymer (c), Richard Bland, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez