What Is the Presidents Cup?
The Presidents Cup is a biennial team golf competition that pits the United States against an International team comprising players from countries outside Europe. The 2026 edition takes place at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Illinois, from 24 to 27 September. Featuring 12 players on each side, the event mirrors the Ryder Cup format with foursome, four-ball, and singles matches across four days of competition.
While the United States has dominated the overall series, the International team has grown increasingly competitive in recent editions, and the 2026 match at Medinah promises to be one of the most closely contested in the event’s history.
When Is the Presidents Cup 2026?
The competition runs from Thursday 24 September to Sunday 27 September 2026. Foursomes and four-ball sessions fill Thursday through Saturday, with the decisive 12 singles matches played on Sunday. An opening ceremony takes place on Wednesday evening.
Where Is It Played?
Medinah Country Club, located in the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, is the host venue. Medinah’s Course No. 3 is one of the most celebrated layouts in American golf, having hosted three US Opens (1949, 1975, 1990), two PGA Championships (1999, 2006), and the 2012 Ryder Cup, where Europe staged a remarkable comeback from 10-6 down on the final day. The course is a demanding parkland layout stretching over 7,600 yards, with Lake Kadijah creating a dramatic amphitheatre around the closing holes.
Key Contenders
The United States team, captained by Brandt Snedeker, draws from the deepest talent pool in world golf. Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Wyndham Clark, and Collin Morikawa are among the likely selections. The Americans will be determined to maintain their stranglehold on the trophy, having lost the Presidents Cup only once (1998 in Melbourne) and drawn once (2003).
The International team, led by captain Geoff Ogilvy, counters with a squad built around Hideki Matsuyama, Tom Kim, Min Woo Lee, Sungjae Im, and Corey Conners. The Internationals have invested in developing team chemistry across recent editions, and a growing cohort of young stars gives the side genuine hope of an upset on American soil.
How to Watch
In the United States, the Presidents Cup is broadcast on NBC, Golf Channel, and Peacock. Sky Sports Golf provides live coverage in the United Kingdom. International broadcast partners carry the event across Asia-Pacific, where the International team’s fan base is concentrated, and in markets worldwide.
History
The Presidents Cup was established in 1994 to give elite players from outside Europe and the United States a team competition equivalent to the Ryder Cup. The US leads the series with a commanding overall record, but the International team’s victory at Royal Melbourne in 1998, led by captain Peter Thomson, remains one of the most celebrated upsets in team golf.
The 2003 edition at Fancourt in South Africa ended in a dramatic tie after the singles session finished level, with captains Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player agreeing to share the trophy. Recent editions have seen the Internationals close the gap, particularly at Royal Melbourne in 2019, where the home crowd created an electric atmosphere before the US rallied on the final day.
Tickets and Hospitality
Tickets are available through the PGA Tour’s official Presidents Cup website. Daily grounds tickets, trophy club passes, and premium hospitality packages are offered. Medinah’s western Chicago location provides convenient access from O’Hare International Airport and the wider Chicago metropolitan area. Tickets for Presidents Cup events sell well in advance, and the 2012 Ryder Cup proved Medinah’s ability to host large, enthusiastic crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup?
The Ryder Cup pits the United States against Europe. The Presidents Cup pits the United States against an International team of players from the rest of the world (excluding Europe). Both use the same match play formats across four days.
How are players selected for the Presidents Cup?
Each captain selects 12 players. The majority qualify automatically through world rankings and points standings, with the captain making several discretionary “captain’s picks” to complete the team.
Is the Presidents Cup held every year?
No, it is a biennial event, held in odd or even years alternating with the Ryder Cup. The two competitions do not overlap.
Can spectators walk the course?
Yes, general admission tickets allow spectators to follow matches around the full course. Grandstand seating is available at key holes, including the 1st tee and 18th green.