LIV Golf has announced that it has struck a deal with a fresh, unnamed lead investor after the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) disclosed in April that it would cease its financial support for the breakaway tour at the close of 2026. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the new partnership is expected to be formally concluded later this month.
Under the terms of the arrangement, the players themselves will acquire a controlling equity interest in the league, effectively becoming the majority owners. The competition format will continue to revolve around roughly ten team‑based events each season, complemented by a series of five "Team Majors" staged on different continents around the globe.
This structure is designed to give the league a truly international footprint while preserving the team‑oriented excitement that distinguishes LIV Golf from traditional tours. The PIF’s decision to pull its funding created a wave of uncertainty about the future viability of LIV Golf.
In response, the organization undertook a board‑level restructuring and publicly stated that it was actively seeking new "long‑term financial partners" to replace the departing sovereign wealth fund. CEO Scott O'Neil told Sky Sports News that the league is now building a "multi‑partner model" that will provide greater stability and longevity. He explained that the new lead investor will act as an anchor for the transaction, playing a pivotal role in guiding the league into its next era, which will be driven by and for the players. "We are seeing strong interest from more than a dozen additional parties who could serve as minority investors," O'Neil added.
"Together, these partners will form a diversified ownership structure that is built for long‑term growth and stability. Our next chapter will make our players the majority equity holders in LIV Golf – a first for a major global sports league – and gives the league the foundation to keep growing the game worldwide." The CEO indicated that the league hopes to seal the deal with the new lead investor by September, describing the upcoming announcement as "good news" for all stakeholders.
At a press conference ahead of the LIV Golf New York event, O'Neil confirmed that the players were informed of the new agreement on Tuesday and that the reaction among them was one of "good excitement." The timing coincided with a players‑only meeting led by Bryson DeChambeau at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Although O'Neil was not present at that gathering, he said the discussions were "robust" and have had a "positive impact" on the league’s direction. While O'Neil remained tight‑lipped about the specific financial details of the new partnership, he expressed gratitude toward the PIF for allowing LIV Golf the time to secure alternative investment. "I have a lot of appreciation for them allowing us this time to go and find investment, and it's not something they had to do," he remarked.
One of the lingering questions surrounding the league has been whether star player Bryson DeChambeau will commit to another season. DeChambeau’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season, and the two‑time U.S.
Open champion has been reported to be seeking a new deal worth roughly $500 million (about £370.5 million). Alongside Jon Rahm, DeChambeau represents one of LIV Golf’s biggest draws, and securing his services has become a litmus test for the league’s financial health. The infusion of new capital, however, has given O'Neil optimism that LIV Golf can meet the financial expectations of its marquee players.
He outlined a vision for an "era of free agency" in which LIV Golf would collaborate more closely with other tours, creating pathways for players to move between circuits while still participating in LIV’s unique format. "I would certainly love them to come along for the ride and journey because they carry maybe more weight than anybody in the game and I have a lot of time for that," O'Neil said. "I think we have enough support from enough players, and we have such an interesting format and global format, I think we'll do quite well in getting the right stars for this game." The multi‑partner model is expected to attract a broader pool of investors, ranging from sovereign wealth funds to private equity firms and high‑net‑worth individuals who are intrigued by the league’s innovative competition structure and its potential to reshape professional golf. By giving players a majority stake, LIV Golf hopes to align the interests of its athletes with the business’s long‑term success, fostering a sense of ownership that could drive higher engagement, better performance, and more compelling storylines for fans worldwide.
Beyond the financial mechanics, the league plans to expand its global reach through the five Team Majors, which will be hosted on different continents each year. These events are intended to showcase the sport in emerging markets, grow the fan base, and provide sponsors with high‑visibility platforms.
The combination of team competition, a limited‑field format, and a rotating schedule of international venues aims to differentiate LIV Golf from the traditional 72‑hole stroke‑play model of the PGA and European Tours. In summary, LIV Golf’s agreement with a new lead investor marks a pivotal moment in the league’s evolution. By transitioning to a player‑majority ownership structure and cultivating a diversified group of minority partners, the organization seeks to secure financial stability, retain its star talent, and continue its mission of expanding golf’s global footprint. The upcoming months will be crucial as the league finalises the investment terms, negotiates new player contracts, and prepares its next season of team events and global majors, all while navigating the competitive landscape of professional golf.