LIV Golf has announced that the tournament originally slated for New Orleans in June will be postponed, according to a joint statement issued by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and state Economic Development Secretary Susan Bonnett Bourgeois. The decision was reached after extensive discussions between the Saudi‑backed golf circuit and the governor's office, with both parties agreeing to look for a later date in the calendar year that would be more suitable for all stakeholders. The event had been scheduled for June 25‑28 at Bayou Oaks in City Park, a premier venue in the heart of New Orleans.
However, several factors prompted the postponement. First, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, creating a massive global sports spectacle that could siphon both spectators and television audiences away from the golf tournament. In addition, concerns were raised about the extreme summer heat typical of Louisiana in late June, which could affect player performance and the condition of the course.
Organizers also wanted to avoid any logistical clashes with the World Cup that might strain local resources such as transportation, security and hospitality services. In the joint statement released on Tuesday, Governor Landry and Secretary Bourgeois confirmed that LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil had contacted the state on Friday to discuss the possibility of moving the event to the fall. "We appreciate LIV's good‑faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year," the statement read. The state has already disbursed $3.2 million (approximately £2.4 million) under the terms of the original contract.
While LIV Golf is expected to return all incentive funds, the $2 million (about £1.48 million) already spent on upgrades to City Park will remain, ensuring that the community continues to benefit from the improvements made to the facility. The postponement comes just weeks after CEO Scott O'Neil affirmed that the 2026 LIV Golf season would go ahead as planned, despite circulating rumors that the league might lose its financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Those rumors gained traction after the PIF omitted LIV Golf from its four‑year investment strategy, fueling speculation that the breakaway circuit could be at risk of losing crucial funding. LIV Golf’s schedule for 2026 includes only one other tournament that does not overlap with the World Cup: LIV Golf Virginia at Trump National Golf Club, which is set to begin on May 7 in the Washington, D.C., area.
The New Orleans event was the sole LIV competition slated for the World Cup window, making its postponement a logical step to avoid competing for attention. The broader golf landscape is also in flux. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has indicated that the PGA Tour is exploring new pathways to potentially reintegrate LIV Golf players, a move that reflects ongoing uncertainty about the future of the breakaway league.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports Golf analyst Paul McGinley warned that any LIV players seeking a return to the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour could encounter numerous obstacles. "All of the spots these 56 players have had on the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour have been filled over the last four years," McGinley said during coverage of the RBC Heritage final round. He added that returning players would likely face suspensions, fines and other disciplinary measures designed to protect the interests of those who remained with the traditional tours. McGinley emphasized that the competitive environment has changed dramatically since LIV Golf’s inception, and that any reintegration would require extensive negotiation between the main tours and the breakaway league’s players.
"It's not going to be plain sailing for the LIV guys," he concluded. For fans eager to follow the unfolding story, Sky Sports will continue to broadcast live coverage of major golf events, including the PGA Championship (May 14‑17), the U.S. Open (June 18‑21) and The Open Championship (July 16‑19).
The network also offers streaming options without a long‑term contract, providing flexible access to the sport’s biggest tournaments. In summary, the postponement of the New Orleans LIV Golf tournament reflects a pragmatic response to the overlapping World Cup schedule, weather concerns, and ongoing financial uncertainty surrounding the league. While the state of Louisiana will retain the infrastructure upgrades funded by the original agreement, the exact timing of the rescheduled event remains to be determined.
Stakeholders from the governor’s office, LIV Golf leadership and the broader golf community will continue to monitor the situation closely, hoping to secure a new date that maximizes attendance, viewership and economic benefit for the region.