LIV Golf has announced that it will be letting go of the bulk of its employees starting next week, as the organization continues discussions aimed at securing its long‑term viability. The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has been the primary financial backer of the league, has decided to cease its funding after the conclusion of the 2026 season.
This decision forces LIV Golf to shrink its headcount, irrespective of whether any new investment deals can be concluded in time to keep the operation running at its current scale. Earlier this week, the league communicated to "the majority of its workforce" that their contracts under the current incarnation, dubbed LIV 1.0, will terminate in the first week of September. This follows a prior warning issued in July that redundancies were a distinct possibility. The message was delivered with a tone of appreciation: the spokesperson thanked staff for their dedication in building the brand and promised support for those affected during the transition.
At its peak, LIV Golf employed more than 300 people worldwide, covering everything from tournament logistics and marketing to player relations and technology. No definitive decision has yet been made about how many of those roles will be retained for a prospective future version of the league, often referred to as LIV 2.0.
The organization remains hopeful that a portion of the workforce could be rehired if the new structure materialises. "The funding commitment announced by PIF earlier this year will reach its conclusion," a LIV representative told Sky Sports. "As a result, we are scaling back operations as we transition to the next chapter of LIV Golf and work toward making LIV 2.0 a reality. 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." The league's future hinges on securing fresh capital. According to sources, LIV is in talks with a potential lead investor as well as several minority investors. The term sheet that has been signed to fund the next season is non‑binding, meaning the details are still being negotiated and no final agreement has been reached. Proposals under consideration include a model where the players hold a majority ownership stake, coupled with a renewed emphasis on "commercial discipline" to ensure financial sustainability.
One suggested format for the revamped league involves staging five Team Championships on five different continents, complemented by five Signature Events that would sit alongside the traditional major championships. This structure aims to blend the global reach of the current tour with a more streamlined, financially prudent schedule.
Prominent players have voiced their perspectives on the unfolding situation. Bryson DeChambeau, speaking ahead of the season finale, urged fans and stakeholders to give LIV Golf "one more shot and be open‑minded." Ian Poulter echoed a similar sentiment, describing it as "a real shame" if the league were to cease operations. Their comments highlight a desire among many players to see the venture succeed despite the financial headwinds.
The cancellation of the Team Championship in Michigan, which caused the season to finish a week early, added further uncertainty. Chief Executive Scott O'Neil, addressing the crowd in Indianapolis, expressed optimism that new investment could be secured and that the league could move forward. He emphasized that the discussions with prospective investors were progressing, even if no binding agreement had yet been signed. In the wake of the championship's cancellation, several players entered the Husqvarna British Masters, a tournament scheduled for the same week.
Among them was England's Tyrrell Hatton, who declined to speculate about his own future with the league. "I would expect there to be LIV next season," Hatton said in his pre‑tournament press conference.
"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, he responded, "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 broader golf community is watching closely.
Sky Sports continues to broadcast LIV events, and fans can stream coverage without a contract via NOW. The upcoming Husqvarna British Masters will be shown live across four rounds, beginning Thursday at 12:30 pm on Sky Sports Golf. Viewers are encouraged to check the latest Sky Sports deals for streaming options.
In summary, LIV Golf is undergoing a significant restructuring phase. The termination of PIF's funding after 2026 has triggered a wave of staff reductions, with the majority of employees set to leave in early September. The league is actively seeking new investment, exploring models that could give players a larger ownership role and a more disciplined commercial approach.
While the future remains uncertain, the statements from players, executives, and investors suggest a collective hope that LIV Golf can reinvent itself and return as a viable competitor in the world of professional golf.