Golf fans have one unmissable appointment this autumn. From September 24 to 27, 2026, the world’s elite golfers will gather just outside Chicago for one of the sport’s most electric team competitions. The setting is legendary. The stakes are enormous. And the storylines are already rich before a single shot has been struck.
This guide covers everything you need to know, from the competition dates and daily schedule to the players, teams, tickets, and how to make the most of your visit to Medinah Country Club.
A Competition Like No Other
The Presidents Cup is a biennial team golf competition played between the United States and an International Team made up of elite non-European players. It is match play, which means every hole matters and momentum can shift in an instant. That format makes for gripping, unpredictable golf that is very different from the stroke-play events fans see most weekends.
The 2026 edition will be the 16th in the event’s history. The United States has dominated the series, winning 13 times, losing once, and tying once. In fact, the Americans have won ten consecutive editions, most recently defeating the International Team 18.5 to 11.5 at Royal Montreal in 2024. However, the Internationals have a new captain with a unique edge heading into Medinah, and that could change the dynamic in fascinating ways.
Dates, Venue and Location
Competition runs Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27, 2026. The full event week, including practice rounds, begins Tuesday, September 22 and concludes on that final Sunday.
The venue is Medinah Country Club’s Course No. 3, located in Medinah, Illinois, approximately 25 miles west of downtown Chicago. The course measures 7,564 yards and plays to a par of 72. It was originally designed by Tom Bendelow and has recently undergone a significant transformation, reopening in 2024 with larger greens, bigger bunkers, wider fairways, and more open views across the layout.
Medinah is no stranger to major golf. Course No. 3 has previously hosted the 2012 Ryder Cup, two PGA Championships, three US Opens, the 2019 BMW Championship, and numerous other prestigious events. The 2026 competition will be the first time the Presidents Cup has been played here, making it the fifth different US venue to host the event.
The Daily Schedule
Practice days on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 22 and 23, allow fans to watch both teams warm up and get a feel for the course before competition begins. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. on both practice days.
When competition begins on Thursday, September 24, tournament gates open at 9:00 a.m. The opening ceremony takes place 30 minutes before the first tee time, with Round 1 matches running from approximately 11:35 a.m. to 12:47 p.m.
Friday, September 25 sees a later start. Gates and hospitality open at 10:00 a.m., and Round 2 matches begin from 1:05 p.m. through to 2:01 p.m.
Saturday, September 26 is the most action-packed day. Gates open early at 6:30 a.m. Round 3 matches begin at 7:02 a.m., with Round 4 matches following in the afternoon from 1:15 p.m.
Sunday, September 27 brings the singles, which is typically the most dramatic session of the entire event. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. for the final day of competition.
The format across the four competition days includes foursomes, four-ball and singles matches. The first team to accumulate 15.5 points wins the cup.
The Two Captains
Brandt Snedeker leads the United States team. A popular figure on tour and a fan favorite, Snedeker brings a calm but competitive energy to the captain’s role. He has spoken about the depth of talent available to him and the challenge of narrowing a field of more than 20 credible candidates down to 12 players.
Geoff Ogilvy captains the International Team. The Australian is a former US Open champion and one of the most respected players of his generation. What makes his role especially intriguing is that his golf architecture firm, OCM, helped redesign Medinah’s Course No. 3 before the 2026 event. That means Ogilvy knows this course as intimately as anyone in the world. His team will compete on a battlefield that their own captain helped shape, and that is a remarkable storyline heading into the week.
The United States Team
The US team is built around six automatic qualifiers, determined by FedExCup points earned from January 1, 2025 through August 23, 2026. Six additional players are selected by captain Snedeker as his picks.
The six automatic qualifiers are Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, Sam Burns, Russell Henley, and Collin Morikawa.
Scheffler leads the group as the world number one. He secured back-to-back FedEx Cup titles and is widely regarded as the best player in the game right now. His third consecutive Presidents Cup appearance will make him one of the most experienced players on either team. Young, who won the Players Championship this season, and Clark, who claimed the US Open and added two further wins, give Snedeker a powerful core to build around.
The six captain’s picks were announced on September 1. Based on strong season-long form and match-play credentials, the final US roster was confirmed as Scheffler, Young, Clark, Burns, Henley, Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Chris Gotterup, Jackson Koivun, Ryan Gerard, and Patrick Cantlay.
The International Team
The International Team qualifies its automatic spots using the Official World Golf Ranking rather than FedExCup points. The six automatic qualifiers are Adam Scott, Si Woo Kim, Tom Kim, Ryan Fox, Hideki Matsuyama, and Min Woo Lee.
Matsuyama is a familiar face at this event and brings significant experience. Scott, one of the most decorated International players in the competition’s history, adds veteran leadership. The Kims, Tom and Si Woo, give the team genuine world-class talent and a competitive fire that will be essential if the Internationals are to end the American winning run.
Captain Ogilvy’s six picks rounded out the roster with players who bring strong recent form and the kind of match-play temperament that this competition demands.
Course No. 3: What Makes Medinah Special
Medinah Country Club has a history that goes beyond golf tournaments. The club was founded in 1924 and the grounds carry a rich, storied atmosphere that few venues in American golf can match. The course sits amid forests of tall trees, with Lake Kadijah forming a dramatic feature on several holes.
The recent redesign by OCM has transformed some of the course’s most strategic elements. The greens are now larger and more receptive to approach play. The bunkers are bigger and more imposing. The fairways are wider in some places, but the long fescue rough that now borders many holes means wayward shots are punished. The overall feel is of a course that is both visually spectacular and strategically demanding.
For match play, these characteristics create the perfect environment. A single bold shot can shift the momentum of a hole, a match, and ultimately the competition itself. Medinah has a track record of producing memorable moments, and 2026 is expected to add more to that legacy.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets for the 2026 competition are now on sale through the official website at presidentscup.com. Several ticket types are available to suit different preferences and budgets.
Daily grounds tickets give access to the full course for a chosen session, allowing fans to follow players, move between holes freely, and experience the atmosphere from multiple vantage points. These are the most flexible and popular option for first-time visitors.
Premium hospitality packages offer an elevated experience. Options include access to shared, open-air venues with panoramic views of multiple holes, dual-level sports bar environments, and upgraded food and beverage selections. One featured hospitality area offers 360-degree views of holes 3, 4, and 5 and provides a combination of complimentary beverages and premium food options.
Weekly grounds passes provide access to all competition days. They are ideal for fans who want to experience the full arc of the competition. From the nervous energy of Round 1 to the drama of Sunday singles, fans can enjoy every exciting moment.
Prices vary by session and hospitality level. Availability for certain sessions and premium packages may be limited, so purchasing early is advisable.
Getting to Medinah and Planning Your Visit
Medinah is located approximately 25 miles west of downtown Chicago. The most practical approach for most visitors is to drive or use event shuttle services, as the club is not directly accessible by public rail. Car parking is available near the venue, and official shuttle connections from designated parking areas make arrival straightforward.
For accommodation, the Chicago metro area offers a wide range of options at different price points. Proximity to O’Hare International Airport is a practical advantage for international visitors, as the airport sits just 12 miles from Medinah. Suburban hotels in Itasca, Schaumburg, and Bloomingdale are all within a short drive of the course and typically offer more availability than downtown Chicago properties during major events.
Additionally, the surrounding area has a number of restaurants, bars, and local attractions worth exploring during your stay. Chicago itself, just 30 to 40 minutes away, is one of the world’s great food and entertainment cities and makes for a compelling extension to any golf trip.
The Bigger Picture: Can the Internationals End the Streak?
Every edition of this competition carries the same central question: can the International Team finally break the American stranglehold? The US has won ten straight, and the depth of American talent remains formidable heading into Medinah.
However, the Internationals have reasons for optimism. Ogilvy’s course knowledge is a genuine advantage. The team includes proven match-play competitors. And match play, by its nature, creates opportunities for upsets and momentum swings that stroke play rarely does.
Therefore, even if the points standings favor the Americans, the competition itself is never a foregone conclusion. That unpredictability is exactly what makes this event so compelling for fans and neutrals alike.
Conclusion
The 2026 Presidents Cup is set to be one of the most captivating golf events of the year. Competition runs from September 24 to 27 at the newly redesigned Medinah Country Club’s Course No. 3, just outside Chicago, Illinois. The United States, captained by Brandt Snedeker, will field a star-studded lineup led by world number one Scottie Scheffler. The International Team, guided by course architect and former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, will draw on experience and course familiarity in its bid to end a ten-event American winning streak. With tickets available at presidentscup.com, dramatic match-play golf, and one of America’s most historic venues as the stage, this is a week that every golf fan should experience in person or follow closely from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Presidents Cup take place?
Practice days run on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 22 and 23, 2026. Competition begins on Thursday, September 24, and concludes on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Where is the 2026 Presidents Cup being held?
The event is held at Medinah Country Club’s Course No. 3 in Medinah, Illinois, approximately 25 miles west of downtown Chicago. It is the first time the Presidents Cup has been played at this venue.
Who are the two team captains?
Brandt Snedeker captains the United States team. Geoff Ogilvy, a former US Open champion from Australia, captains the International Team. Ogilvy’s golf architecture firm also helped redesign the Medinah course prior to the event.
Who are the key players to watch?
Scottie Scheffler, the world number one and two-time FedEx Cup champion, leads the US side. Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, and Collin Morikawa are among the other top American names. For the Internationals, Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott, and the Kim duo of Si Woo and Tom are players to follow closely.
How can I buy tickets?
Tickets are on sale now through the official website at presidentscup.com. Options include daily grounds passes, weekly passes, and premium hospitality packages. Early purchase is recommended, particularly for popular session days and premium hospitality areas.
