The 2026 Solheim Cup, the premier team competition in women’s golf, will be staged from September 11 to 13, 2026 at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. This marks the first time the event will travel to Dutch soil, and the course – known for hosting the Dutch Open on the DP World Tour – offers a classic heathland layout designed by American architect Kyle Phillips, featuring compact fairways, strategic water hazards, a striking clubhouse and top‑tier practice facilities. The Solheim Cup pits twelve elite players from the United States against twelve of Europe’s finest in a three‑day match‑play showdown.
The format consists of 28 matches spread across three distinct types of play: foursomes, four‑ball and singles. Each match is worth one point, and the first side to reach 14½ points clinches the trophy. The schedule typically includes two sessions of foursomes (alternate‑shot play with one ball per team), two sessions of four‑ball (each player uses their own ball and the lower score of the pair counts), and a final day of twelve singles matches where every competitor faces an opponent from the other team. Historically, the Solheim Cup was inaugurated in 1990 and named after Karsten and Louise Solheim, the founders of the Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which produces PING golf equipment.
It quickly grew into the most prestigious team event in women’s golf, mirroring the men’s Ryder Cup. After the COVID‑19‑induced postponement of the Ryder Cup in 2020, the Solheim Cup shifted to even‑numbered years to avoid a scheduling clash, resulting in back‑to‑back editions in 2023 and 2024. Starting in 2026, the competition returns to its biennial rhythm, aligning once again with the Ryder Cup’s odd‑year schedule. 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 six additional places were allocated based on the world rankings. Charley Hull topped the LET points list, securing her eighth consecutive Solheim Cup appearance. Esther Henseleit edged out Chiara Tamburlini for the second automatic berth by a narrow 0.9‑point margin after a runner‑up finish at the season‑ending major.
Lottie Woad, the highest‑ranked European in the world rankings, made her debut, having captured victories on both the LET and the LPGA Tour since turning pro. Returning veterans included Sweden’s Maja Stark and Linn Grant, while France’s Céline Boutier, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen also qualified automatically. Captain Anna Nordqvist exercised her four wild‑card selections, adding Ireland’s Leona Maguire and three first‑time participants: Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez, France’s Nastasia Nadaud and England’s Mimi Rhodes. Team USA’s qualification period closed after the CPKC Women’s Open on August 23.
The LPGA Tour Solheim Cup points list awarded automatic places to the top seven players. World No.
1 Nelly Korda led the list, earning her fifth Solheim 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.
Andrea Lee and Alison Lee secured places as the highest‑ranked players on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who had not already qualified via points. Captain Angela Stanford’s three captain’s picks were Megan Khang, Rose Zhang and Lindy Duncan, the latter making her debut. Leadership changes were also announced. Anna Nordqvist will captain Europe for 2026, succeeding Suzann Pettersen, who led the team in 2023 and 2024.
Nordqvist, a nine‑time Solheim Cup player, selected Caroline Hedwall and Mel Reid as her vice‑captains; both have extensive playing experience for Europe. On the U.S. side, Angela Stanford takes over from Stacy Lewis as captain. Stanford, a six‑time Solheim Cup participant and three‑time winner, will be assisted by vice‑captains Kristy McPherson and Paula Creamer, with former Solheim Cup stalwart Brittany Lang joining as an assistant captain.
The competition’s scoring system is straightforward: each of the 28 matches contributes one point to the team total. In foursomes, two players from each side alternate shots with a single ball, demanding tight teamwork and strategic shot‑selection. Four‑ball matches allow each player to play their own ball, with the lower of the two scores on each hole counting for the team, encouraging aggressive play and risk‑taking.
The singles day is a pure head‑to‑head battle, where every point is fiercely contested. Looking ahead, the 2028 Solheim Cup will be held at the iconic Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, twenty years after the venue hosted the Ryder Cup. Future venues beyond that have yet to be announced.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf, which will broadcast all three days of the 2026 event. Tickets for both ground‑pass and hospitality packages are now on general sale, with details available through the official Solheim Cup website. For those who prefer streaming, the NOW platform offers live coverage of the tournament and other sports. In summary, the 2026 Solheim Cup promises a historic first for the Netherlands, a challenging heathland course, and a field of seasoned veterans alongside exciting newcomers.
With captains Anna Nordqvist and Angela Stanford steering their respective squads, the stage is set for another memorable chapter in women’s golf history.