The R&A has announced that the official prize purse for the 2026 AIG Women’s Open will rise once again, marking the sixth year in a row that the tournament’s financial rewards have been increased. The world’s elite female golfers will converge on the historic links of Royal Lytham & St Annes in July, each hoping to claim a share of a $10 million (£7.43 million) total prize fund. Mark Darbon, chief executive of the R&A, also used the occasion to unveil the venue schedule for the next two editions of the championship.
He confirmed that the 2028 AIG Women’s Open will be staged on the Old Course at Sunningdale, while the 2027 tournament will move to the famed Royal St George’s. Darbon added, “We know Sunningdale will provide an outstanding venue in two years’ time.
It will be the fifth time the championship has been held there and the first since 2008.” In addition to the headline‑grabbing $10 million pot, the R&A has injected an extra $250,000 (£185,651) into this year’s purse. The boost follows the success of the 2025 edition, where Japan’s Miyu Yamashita secured her first major title by edging out Charley Hull and Minami Katsu by two strokes. Yamashita’s victory helped raise the profile of the event and demonstrated the growing competitiveness of the women’s game.
The 2026 tournament also carries special significance because it marks the 50th anniversary of the AIG Women’s Open. The inaugural champion, Jenny Lee Smith, lifted the trophy in 1967 when the prize fund was a modest $673.31 (£500). Over the past half‑century the championship has evolved from a modest national contest into a global showcase that now offers a prize pool measured in millions of dollars. Broadcast coverage will expand dramatically for the 2026 edition.
Sky Sports, the UK’s primary rights holder, will deliver roughly 20 percent more live airtime than in 2025, giving fans a richer viewing experience across all four days of competition. Early‑round windows will feature live footage of the opening groups, while marquee tee times between 9 am and 1 pm will be highlighted throughout the week. Full‑scale coverage will run from 1 pm to 7 pm each day, from July 29 through August 2, ensuring that audiences can follow every swing, putt and dramatic moment. Darbon emphasized the strategic importance of this increased exposure, stating, “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.
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.” Beyond the prize money and TV schedule, the tournament will feature a host of ancillary events designed to engage fans and promote the sport.
Pro‑am rounds will allow amateurs to play alongside tour professionals, while a series of clinics and community outreach programs will be run at the club’s facilities. These initiatives aim to inspire the next generation of golfers, particularly young women, by showcasing the skill, athleticism and sportsmanship on display at the highest level. The expanded purse also reflects broader trends in professional golf, where governing bodies and sponsors are committing greater resources to women’s events.
The $10 million figure places the AIG Women’s Open among the richest tournaments in the sport, rivaling the prize funds of the men’s majors and underscoring the R&A’s dedication to gender parity. Looking ahead, the announcement that Sunningdale will host the 2028 edition adds another layer of excitement.
The Old Course, known for its immaculate fairways and strategic bunkering, has a storied history in British golf and will provide a fresh challenge for the field. Meanwhile, Royal St George’s, slated for 2027, returns to the rotation after a period away, promising classic links conditions that test both power and precision.
Fans eager to watch the action can tune into Sky Sports for live coverage or stream the tournament via the provider’s no‑contract streaming service. The combination of a record‑setting prize fund, expanded broadcast hours, and a celebrated venue ensures that the 2026 AIG Women’s Open will be a landmark event in the sport’s calendar, celebrating five decades of progress while looking forward to an even brighter future for women’s golf.