The R&A announced that the official purse for the 2026 AIG Women's Open will climb to $10 million (approximately £7.43 million), marking the sixth year in a row that the tournament’s financial rewards have been boosted. The increase reflects the organization’s commitment to growing the stature of women’s golf and to rewarding the sport's elite competitors.
The championship will be contested at the historic links venue of Royal Lytham & St Annes from July 29 to August 2, where the world’s top female golfers will vie for a share of the enlarged prize pool. Mark Darbon, chief executive of the R&A, also used the announcement to reveal the future rotation of host courses. He confirmed that the 2028 edition of the AIG Women’s Open will move to the Old Course at Sunningdale, a venue that will host the tournament for the fifth time and return after a twenty‑year hiatus—the last occasion being in 2008. In the interim, the 2027 championship is slated for Royal St George's, another storied links that has previously staged the event.
"We know Sunningdale will provide an outstanding venue in two years' time," Darbon said. "It will be the fifth time the championship has been held there and the first since 2008." His comments underscored the R&A’s strategy of rotating the Open among a mix of classic and emerging courses to keep the competition fresh while honoring golf’s heritage. In addition to the larger purse, the R&A added a further $250,000 (£185,651) to the 2026 prize fund following the success of the 2025 tournament.
That year, Japan’s Miyu Yamashita captured her first major title by edging Charley Hull and Minami Katsu by two strokes, a thrilling finish that helped raise the profile of the event and demonstrated the growing international depth of the women’s game. The 2026 edition will also be a landmark celebration: it marks the 50th anniversary of the AIG Women’s Open, which was first contested in 1967 when Jenny Lee Smith became the inaugural champion. At that time the total prize money was a modest $673.31 (£500).
Over the past five decades the tournament has evolved from a modest national competition into a global showcase with a multi‑million‑dollar purse, extensive media coverage, and a roster of world‑class athletes. Broadcast coverage will expand significantly for the 2026 tournament.
Sky Sports, the UK’s primary broadcaster for the event, will increase live airtime by roughly 20 per cent compared with the 2025 edition. Early windows on the first two days will give viewers a glimpse of how the opening groups are performing, while marquee morning pairings will be shown between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Full‑scale coverage will run from 1 p.m.
to 7 p.m. each day of the competition, providing fans with comprehensive, real‑time access to every swing and putt.
"Our broadcast coverage is fundamental to that ambition and with a 20% increase in live hours compared to 2025, we are setting a new benchmark for women's golf," Darbon explained. "The AIG Women's Open now delivers more linear television broadcast hours in the UK and US than any other women's golf championship, giving fans unprecedented access to the very best players in the world. This is another important step forward as we continue to invest in the Championship and grow its global audience." The expanded coverage is expected to attract new viewers and sponsors, further cementing the Open’s status as the premier event in women’s professional golf.
It also aligns with broader efforts across the sport to achieve parity in exposure and earnings between the men’s and women’s games. Fans will be able to watch all four rounds live on Sky Sports throughout July, either through a traditional subscription or via the streaming service that offers contract‑free access. The tournament’s schedule includes daily tee times that accommodate both early birds and late‑day viewers, ensuring that audiences worldwide can follow the action as it unfolds. Beyond the prize money and broadcast upgrades, the R&A is also focusing on player experience and sustainability.
Initiatives for the 2026 Open include enhanced practice facilities at Royal Lytham, improved hospitality for competitors and their support teams, and a commitment to environmentally responsible course management, such as water conservation measures and reduced single‑use plastics. The combination of a $10 million purse, historic venues, expanded television coverage, and a half‑century of legacy positions the 2026 AIG Women’s Open as a milestone event for the sport. It underscores the rapid growth of women’s golf, celebrates its rich history, and sets a clear vision for a future where the women’s game enjoys equal prominence, financial reward, and global fan engagement.