LIV Golf has announced that the event originally slated for New Orleans in June will be postponed, according to a joint statement issued by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and the state’s economic development secretary, Susan Bonnett Bourgeois. The postponement follows discussions between the Saudi‑backed league and state officials aimed at identifying a more suitable date later in the calendar year. The tournament was set to take place from June 25 to June 28 at Bayou Oaks at City Park.
However, organizers grew concerned that the FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 through July 19, could draw away spectators, reduce television viewership, and create logistical challenges. In addition, the summer heat and the condition of the course during that period were cited as further reasons for seeking a new slot. In a press release on Tuesday, Governor Landry and Secretary Bourgeois confirmed that LIV Golf’s chief executive, Scott O'Neil, had contacted the state on Friday to request a delay and explore the possibility of holding the competition in the autumn.
The statement noted that Louisiana has already disbursed $3.2 million (approximately £2.4 million) under the terms of the contract. While the league is expected to return all incentive funds, the $2 million (£1.48 million) already spent on upgrades to City Park will remain, ensuring that the community continues to benefit from the improvements.
"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 joint statement read. The decision arrives less than two weeks after O'Neil reaffirmed that the 2026 LIV Golf season would go ahead as planned, despite circulating rumors that the league’s financing might be in jeopardy. The New Orleans stop is currently the only LIV tournament scheduled to clash with the World Cup.
Other LIV events, such as the Virginia tournament at Trump National Golf Club, are set to begin on May 7 in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has indicated that the main tour is examining new pathways to re‑integrate players who have defected to LIV Golf, a move that reflects ongoing uncertainty about the breakaway circuit’s future. Over the past few weeks, speculation has intensified that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia could withdraw its backing, after the league was omitted from the fund’s four‑year investment strategy.
Sky Sports Golf analyst Paul McGinley warned that any LIV players hoping to return to the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour will likely encounter numerous obstacles. He explained that the spots formerly occupied by the 56 LIV participants have already been filled on both tours, meaning that returning players would have to compete for fewer available positions. "You can’t just muscle your way back into smaller fields than the ones you left," McGinley said during coverage of the RBC Heritage final round. McGinley added that any comeback would be complicated by potential suspensions, fines, and other penalties that have been discussed over the past several years.
He stressed that these measures would need to stay in place to preserve fairness for the players who remained with the established tours throughout the LIV era. "There’s a lot of negotiation to be done between the main tours and the LIV players, if LIV is going to fold, in terms of what the future may be," he observed. The broader golf landscape is also being shaped by the upcoming major championships, all of which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf. The PGA Championship (May 14‑17), the U.S.
Open (June 18‑21) and The Open (July 16‑19) will each receive exclusive coverage, underscoring the intense competition for viewer attention during the summer months. Beyond the immediate scheduling concerns, the postponement raises questions about the long‑term viability of LIV Golf’s expansion strategy in the United States. The league has invested heavily in infrastructure, marketing and player contracts, hoping to carve out a permanent niche alongside the PGA and DP World Tours. Yet the uncertainty surrounding its primary financial backer, combined with the logistical challenges of staging events during a global sporting spectacle like the World Cup, suggests that flexibility will be essential.
For the local community in New Orleans, the delay is a mixed blessing. While the immediate economic boost from tourism and hospitality associated with a high‑profile golf tournament will be deferred, the permanent improvements to City Park’s facilities will still benefit residents and future visitors. The state’s commitment to returning the incentive funds—apart from the park upgrades—demonstrates a cautious approach aimed at protecting public resources while still supporting the sport’s growth.
In summary, LIV Golf’s New Orleans tournament has been pushed back to a later date, likely in the fall, after careful deliberation with Louisiana officials. The decision reflects concerns about overlapping with the FIFA World Cup, extreme summer weather, and course conditions, as well as broader financial uncertainties facing the league. Stakeholders on both sides have expressed a willingness to continue collaborating, hoping to secure a successful event later in the year while navigating the evolving dynamics of professional golf worldwide.