The R&A has announced that the official prize pool for the 2026 AIG Women's Open will be raised to $10 million (£7.43 million), marking the sixth straight year of increases. The tournament, which will be contested at the storied links of Royal Lytham & St Annes in July, will see the world’s elite women golfers vie for a share of the expanded purse.
Mark Darbon, chief executive of the R&A, also disclosed the venues for the next two editions of the championship. In 2027 the Open will move to Royal St George's, while the 2028 tournament will be staged on the historic Old Course at Sunningdale. Darbon emphasized that Sunningdale will provide an "outstanding venue" when the event returns there in two years' time, noting that this will be the fifth occasion the championship has been held at the club and the first since 2008.
The decision to add an extra $250,000 (£185,651) to the 2026 prize fund follows the success of the 2025 AIG Women’s Open, where Japan’s Miyu Yamashita captured her first major title by edging out Charley Hull and Minami Katsu by two strokes. Yamashita’s triumph underscored the growing international depth of the women’s game and helped justify the continued financial growth of the event. 2026 also marks a milestone year: the 50th anniversary of the tournament, which began in 1967 when Jenny Lee Smith was crowned the inaugural champion. At that time the total prize money was a modest $673.31 (£500).
Over the past five decades the Open has transformed into one of the premier events in women's golf, both in terms of prestige and financial reward, reflecting the sport’s expanding global audience and commercial appeal. Broadcast coverage will be significantly expanded for the 2026 edition. Sky Sports, the UK’s primary broadcaster for the tournament, will deliver roughly 20 per cent more live airtime than in 2025. Early rounds will feature morning windows that showcase the opening players, while marquee groups will be highlighted between 9 a.m.
and 1 p.m. Full, uninterrupted coverage will run from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day of the competition, spanning July 29 through August 2.
Darbon said the increased broadcast hours are "fundamental to our ambition" and set a new benchmark for women's golf, providing fans in both the United Kingdom and the United States with unprecedented access to the sport's top talent. The expanded media exposure is expected to attract new sponsors, boost viewership figures, and inspire the next generation of female golfers.
By delivering more linear television hours than any other women's golf championship, the AIG Women’s Open is positioning itself as the flagship event for the sport, helping to grow its global footprint and cementing its status as a showcase for elite competition. Beyond the prize money and television schedule, the tournament will feature a full slate of ancillary events designed to engage fans and promote the game. These include pro-am opportunities, junior clinics, and community outreach programs hosted at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The club’s iconic dunes, historic clubhouse, and challenging layout will test players' shot-making, strategy, and mental resilience, offering a dramatic backdrop for the championship narrative. Fans can watch all four rounds live on Sky Sports throughout July, either through a traditional subscription or via a streaming option that requires no long‑term contract.
The combination of a larger purse, enhanced broadcast coverage, and a celebrated venue promises to make the 2026 AIG Women’s Open a landmark event in the sport's calendar, celebrating half a century of history while looking forward to a bright future for women's golf.