LIV Golf has announced that it will be reducing the bulk of its employee base beginning next week, as the organization continues discussions aimed at securing a sustainable future. The decision follows the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) announcing that its financial support will cease after the close of the 2026 season, compelling the league to downsize its staff regardless of whether any new investment deals are concluded. Earlier this week, the league communicated to "the majority of its workforce" that their contracts under the current LIV 1.0 structure will terminate in the early days of September.
This notice follows an earlier warning in July that redundancies were likely. The message, delivered by a LIV spokesperson to Sky Sports, emphasized gratitude for the employees' contributions and pledged assistance during the transition period.
"The funding commitment announced by PIF earlier this year will reach its conclusion," the spokesperson said. "Consequently, we are scaling back operations as we transition to the next chapter of LIV Golf and work toward making LIV 2.0 a reality." The spokesperson added, "This week we informed many of our colleagues that their employment under LIV 1.0 will end in the first week of September. We are grateful to our employees for their hard work and dedication in building LIV Golf, and we remain committed to supporting those affected through this transition." LIV Golf, which once employed over 300 staff members around the globe, has not yet determined the exact staffing requirements for any future iteration of the league. The organization remains hopeful that, should a revised version of the competition materialise, a portion of the displaced workers could be rehired.
The league's season concluded a week earlier than scheduled after the Team Championship in Michigan was cancelled. At an event in Indianapolis, chief executive Scott O'Neil expressed optimism that fresh investment could be secured, allowing the league to move forward. O'Neil indicated that talks are ongoing with a potential lead investor as well as several minority investors.
However, the term sheet that would fund the next season is currently non‑binding and has not been finalised. Proposals under consideration include restructuring the league so that it is primarily owned by its players, coupled with a renewed emphasis on "commercial discipline." The suggested format envisions five Team Championships spread across five continents, alongside five Signature Events positioned around the major championships.
This model aims to create a more globally diverse calendar while giving players a greater stake in the organisation's financial health. Prominent players have voiced their perspectives on the uncertain future.
Bryson DeChambeau, speaking before the season finale, urged fans to give LIV Golf "one more shot and be open‑minded." Ian Poulter echoed similar sentiments, describing it as "a real shame" if the league were unable to continue. English golfer Tyrrell Hatton, who entered the Husqvarna British Masters after the Team Championship was called off, refused to speculate about his own playing future. In a pre‑tournament press conference he said, "I would expect there to be LIV next season. I know they've worked really hard to get the funding and stuff in place, so I know it's full steam ahead on that front." When asked about his personal schedule, Hatton replied, "To be honest, I haven't thought about that – I've got enough to worry about with playing golf for the rest of the year.
I've still got multiple years left in my contract with LIV and I've got plenty of tournaments this year, so there's nothing really to focus on other than the golf." The league's future remains contingent on the outcome of the investment negotiations. If a new financing package is secured, LIV Golf could launch a revamped competition structure that balances player ownership with a leaner operational model. Conversely, without sufficient capital, the league may face further reductions or even a cessation of activities.
For fans eager to follow the ongoing developments, the Husqvarna British Masters will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf, with coverage beginning Thursday at 12:30 pm. Viewers can also stream Sky Sports without a contract via the NOW platform. As the situation evolves, stakeholders—from players and staff to sponsors and broadcasters—will be watching closely to see whether LIV Golf can successfully transition from its inaugural version to a sustainable, player‑centric second incarnation.