The 2026 Solheim Cup is set to be one of the most exciting events on the women's golf calendar, bringing together twelve elite players from the United States and twelve from Europe for three days of match‑play competition. The tournament will be staged from September 11 to September 13, 2026, at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands – a venue that will host the Cup for the first time.
Bernardus, a former Dutch Open stop on the DP World Tour, offers a heath‑land layout designed by American architect Kyle Phillips, featuring tight fairways, strategic water hazards, a compact routing, a striking clubhouse, and world‑class practice facilities. The Solheim Cup was inaugurated in 1990 and named after Karsten and Louise Solheim, the founders of the Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, the company behind PING golf clubs.
Since then it has grown into the premier team competition in women’s golf, mirroring the Ryder Cup on the men’s side. After a brief scheduling clash caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic, the Cup returned to an even‑year rhythm in 2026, ensuring it will not compete for attention with the Ryder Cup, which now runs in odd years. The format remains unchanged: a total of 28 matches are contested over the three‑day period, split among three match‑play styles – foursomes, four‑balls and singles. Each match is worth one point, and the first team to reach 14½ points clinches the trophy.
The first two days feature four foursome matches each day (two sessions of four matches), where two teammates alternate shots with a single ball. The same days also host four‑ball matches, in which each player plays her own ball and the lower score of the pair counts for the hole.
The final day is reserved for 12 singles matches, pitting every player from one side against a counterpart from the other. Qualification for the European team began at the 2024 La Sella Open and concluded after the 2026 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes on August 2. The top two players on the Ladies European Tour (LET) Solheim Cup points list earned automatic spots, while the next six places were filled from the world rankings.
Charley Hull topped the LET list, securing her eighth consecutive appearance, and Esther Henseleit edged out Chiara Tamburlini for the second automatic berth by a slim 0.9‑point margin after a runner‑up finish at the season‑ending major. Newcomer Lottie Woad, the highest‑ranked European in the world rankings, earned a place after a strong 13‑month stretch that saw victories on both the LET and the LPGA Tour.
Sweden’s Maja Stark and Linn Grant return for a third straight Cup, while France’s Céline Boutier, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen also qualified automatically. Team Europe’s captain, Anna Nordqvist, announced four wild‑card selections: Ireland’s Leona Maguire, Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez, France’s Nastasia Nadaud and England’s Mimi Rhodes, all of whom will be making their debut in the Netherlands. Nordqvist, a nine‑time player and former vice‑captain, takes over from Suzann Pettersen, who captained the side in 2023 and 2024.
Nordqvist’s vice‑captains are former European players Caroline Hedwall and Mel Reid, both of whom have extensive Solheim Cup experience. On the American side, qualification wrapped up after the CPKC Women’s Open on August 23. The top seven players on the LPGA Solheim Cup points list earned automatic selection.
World No 1 Nelly Korda led the list, guaranteeing her fifth Cup appearance. Angel Yin and Jennifer Kupcho rounded out the top three, with Yealimi Noh – fresh off a third‑place finish at the AIG Women’s Open – also qualifying.
Auston Kim, Lauren Coughlin and Allisen Corpuz completed the seven automatic spots. Two additional places were awarded to the highest‑ranked players on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who had not already qualified via points: Andrea Lee and Alison Lee.
Captain Angela Stanford, who succeeded Stacy Lewis, named three captain’s picks – Megan Khang, Rose Zhang and Lindy Duncan – the latter making her debut. The 2026 venue, Bernardus Golf, will test players with its heath‑land character, demanding precise iron play and strategic navigation of water hazards.
The course’s compact nature means that every shot counts, and the modern clubhouse and practice facilities provide a fitting backdrop for the world’s best women golfers. Looking ahead, the 2028 edition is slated for the iconic Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, a former Ryder Cup host, while future sites beyond that remain to be announced. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf, which will broadcast all three days of competition. Tickets for general admission, ground passes and hospitality packages are now on sale, with details available through the official Solheim Cup website.
For those wanting to watch online, the tournament will be streamed via the NOW platform, though a Chrome browser is recommended for optimal video playback. The Solheim Cup not only showcases elite golf but also promotes international camaraderie and the growth of women’s sport. With a blend of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers, the 2026 contest promises dramatic swings, clutch performances, and the ever‑present possibility of a historic comeback.
Whether you are a longtime follower of the Cup or a newcomer to women’s golf, the September showdown in the Netherlands offers a compelling narrative of skill, strategy, and national pride that will resonate long after the final putt drops.