LIV Golf Secures New Investor and Player Majority Ownership as Saudi Funding Ends

LIV Golf has announced a signed agreement with an unnamed lead investor to sustain operations beyond 2026, after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund ended multibillion-dollar backing of the breakaway tour. The deal includes a historic arrangement making players majority equity holders in the competition, with the transaction expected to complete in September. Major champions including Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith remain on the roster following the funding transition.

Securing the Future

Chief executive Scott O'Neil confirmed the arrangement has been signed by the investor and approved by the LIV Golf board. The agreement covers operations through 2027 and beyond, though the identity of the new financial backer remains undisclosed. The investment amount was also not revealed, representing a significant reduction from the Saudi PIF's contribution of more than five billion dollars since the league's launch in 2022.

Beyond the lead investor, LIV Golf is building what O'Neil described as a "multi-partner model." The league reports strong interest from more than a dozen additional parties considering minority investment roles, designed to create long-term stability. This approach marks a departure from the tour's previous reliance on single-source Saudi financing.

Player Ownership and Structural Changes

The defining feature of the new arrangement is player participation in league ownership. Making competitors majority equity holders represents a first among major global sports competitions. O'Neil characterized this development as giving "the league the foundation to keep growing the game worldwide" and reflecting that the next chapter is "driven by and for the players."

Bryson DeChambeau led a players-only meeting at Trump Bedminster on Tuesday, where participants engaged in what O'Neil termed "robust conversations." The CEO, who was not invited to the gathering, indicated the discussions had a "positive impact" on the group's outlook regarding the league's direction.

Schedule and Season Adjustments

The restructured tour will operate with 10 annual team events moving forward, compared to 14 originally planned for the 2026 season. The schedule includes five competitions in the United States and five held internationally, with five designated as "Team Majors" staged across different continents. The league previously postponed its New Orleans event in June amid uncertainty over its future, with no rescheduled date announced.