LIV Golf Comes to New Orleans in 2026
The LIV Golf league has announced the addition of a summer tournament in New Orleans for the year 2026. The decision comes after an agreement with the state of Louisiana, which will invest $5 million in the competition and another $2.2 million in improvements to the Bayou Oaks golf course, located in City Park.New Orleans already has the Zurich Classic, a long-standing event on the PGA Tour held at TPC Louisiana. Watson, who grew up about three hours away in Pensacola, Florida, won the Zurich in 2011 and was enthusiastic about the opportunity to play professionally in New Orleans again.“What an incredible opportunity to announce this on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina,” stated Governor Jeff Landry during the announcement, which was attended by LIV Golf executives and player Bubba Watson.
Jeff Landry
Watson did not seem concerned about the tournament dates at the end of June, when heat alerts and thunderstorms are common. June is also within the hurricane season, although near the beginning. The Zurich usually takes place in April.“I’m from the Gulf Coast and this is part of my home,” Watson said.
Bubba Watson
This season, a LIV Golf tournament was held in Dallas at the end of June, when daytime temperatures were around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.“This is the first year, so the date can always be changed if he comes here for several years,” Watson said. “It will be hot in a lot of places in the summer. … I grew up in the South; I know what heat is. We just prepare for it.”
Bubba Watson
This year, Louisiana provided economic development funds of approximately $650,000 for marketing and operations to the Zurich Classic. The TPC Louisiana also periodically receives state subsidies for improvements to the course and facilities. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil declined to go into detail about how Louisiana’s $5 million investment to host an event compares to the amount of public funds for events held elsewhere.“We’ll try it and then we’ll see,” Landry said. “If we have to adjust the dates after this round, we’ll see. But my goal is for this to be the home of LIV.”
Jeff Landry
The organizers estimate that the event will generate around 40 million dollars in economic activity for the local economy. Landry stated that the agreement with New Orleans “gives us the opportunity to invest” in the field and in City Park, which is more than 170 years old and occupies 1,300 acres, being one of the largest urban parks in the United States.“All markets are unique,” O’Neil said. “They all come with their unique challenges and opportunities.”
Scott O’Neil
Landry doesn’t play golf and said that, in general, he hasn’t attended professional tournaments, partly because fans are expected to be silent. LIV encourages a more lively fan experience than its rival PGA Tour.“This is a public property,” Landry said. “This area needs revitalization.”
Jeff Landry
Landry dismissed concerns about whether New Orleans could adequately support both a PGA Tour event and a LIV Golf event.“That’s not me,” Landry said. “That’s why I love LIV Golf. There are no ‘shush’ signs. It’s a party.”
Jeff Landry
“I don’t think those events compete with each other,” Landry said. “This is an opportunity to bring a different group of people to another field.”
Jeff Landry
