In a significant boost for its UK presence, the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league has secured a major new television broadcast agreement. The controversial tour has announced a multi-year deal with TNT Sports to show its events across the United Kingdom and Ireland, starting with the upcoming 2026 campaign.
A Major Broadcast Upgrade
This partnership marks a substantial step up in visibility for LIV Golf in a key market. For the 2025 season, coverage in the UK was a relatively low-key affair, limited to the ITV X streaming platform. The new arrangement with TNT Sports, which is co-owned by BT Group and Warner Bros. Discovery, promises a far more prominent showcase.
TNT Sports has committed to delivering comprehensive coverage of all 14 events in the 2026 schedule. The broadcaster plans to bring fans "on-site presentation" and extensive access throughout the season, aiming to elevate the production values and storytelling around the breakaway league.
The 2026 Season and Broader Challenges
The new broadcast deal arrives as LIV Golf implements several changes to its format. The 2026 season will feature 72-hole tournaments, moving away from its original 54-hole model, and will include 57 players. The season is scheduled to commence on February 4 in Riyadh, with stars like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia, and Tyrrell Hatton expected to feature.
However, the league faces ongoing challenges. The deal was announced shortly after the high-profile departure of five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, who opted not to honour the final year of his contract. This exit has increased pressure on LIV to retain other marquee names like DeChambeau.
Furthermore, the league's long-term viability has been questioned by top figures in the sport. Rory McIlroy recently expressed doubts on The Overlap podcast, suggesting the venture's substantial financial losses—reportedly around $5 billion for Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund—may be unsustainable if it fails to capture the public's imagination.
Leadership and Future Ambitions
LIV Golf is now operating under new leadership, with American executive Scott O'Neil having replaced Greg Norman as CEO last year. O'Neil's strategy appears focused on establishing profitable media rights deals, following a similar multi-year agreement with Fox in the United States.
Orjan Olsson, LIV Golf's Senior Vice-President of International Media Rights, hailed the TNT Sports pact as a "historic moment". He stated the partnership would bring a "reimagined golf experience" to UK fans, with sharper storytelling and unprecedented access, aiming to set a "new benchmark" for golf broadcasting.
As the league prepares for its new season, attention also turns to its recruitment. Recent signings have included Victor Perez and Laurie Canter, with players like Thomas Detry and Elvis Smylie also linked. Meanwhile, the search for new talent continues at the LIV Golf Promotions event in Florida, where former Ryder Cup participants Chris Wood and Anthony Kim are competing for wildcard spots.
