AMSTERDAM — The countdown to the biggest event in women’s golf is officially on. On September 11, 2026, the 20th edition of the prestigious Solheim Cup will get underway at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, marking the very first time the historic biennial tournament will be hosted in the Netherlands.
Running from September 7–13, 2026, the week-long event will see 24 of the finest golf stars from Europe and the United States take center stage in a thrilling transatlantic showdown. Following a spectacular promotional stunt last week—where a giant, 2.5-meter-wide golf ball appeared to "crash" into Amsterdam Centraal Station—the country is buzzing with anticipation.
The Netherlands is preparing to welcome more than 80,000 fans from over 40 countries to the pristine fairways of Bernardus Golf. For those unable to attend in person, the tournament boasts an unprecedented global media footprint:
Global Broadcast: Reaching more than 620 million homes across 155 territories.
Live Coverage: Over 30 hours of live television broadcasting.
Media Presence: More than 200 local and international journalists, photographers, and content creators are tracking the action, expected to generate a digital and print reach of over 4 million people.
Local organizers and the Netherlands Golf Federation (NGF) project that the event will inject roughly €17 million into the surrounding regional economy. Beyond the immediate financial windfall, the NGF is eyeing a historic legacy: driving unprecedented growth in domestic golf and accelerating initiatives to boost the percentage of female golfers in the country from 32% to 40%.
A tournament of this magnitude relies heavily on its workforce, and the 2026 Solheim Cup has shattered expectations early. Over 2,500 people registered interest during the planning stages, with more than 1,000 signed-up volunteers locked in to deliver the event.
Interestingly, the volunteer demographic completely bucks traditional golfing trends:
Gender Balance: The workforce boasts a 55% female to 45% male split.
Age Diversity: The youngest volunteer on-site is 16, while the oldest is 83, spanning generations across 40 distinct operational roles.
International Appeal: While the majority are Dutch locals, one-third of the volunteer force is international, flying in from 24 different countries as far away as Australia.
In a major first for the tournament, the 2026 Solheim Cup will be a completely car-free event for spectators. Organizers have put sustainability at the heart of the planning process, utilizing a circular economy framework to minimize waste and carbon emissions while prioritizing local biodiversity.
To manage the logistics, 50 travel officers will oversee a green transport network consisting of 4,000 bicycles and more than 60 shuttle buses, seamlessly moving fans between the venue and five dedicated travel hubs.
On a global scale, event partner Skyscanner has teamed up with SkyNRG to support the scale-up of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), mitigating the environmental impact of international travel for both fans and competitors.
Delivered in partnership with sports marketing giant IMG, the tournament week officially kicks off on September 7–8 with the PING Junior Solheim Cup. In an exciting twist, the junior iteration will be played on the exact same course as the main event for the first time, captained by former junior-stars-turned-legends Anne van Dam (Europe) and Morgan Pressel (USA).
Bernardus Golf, which opened in 2018 and successfully hosted three editions of the DP World Tour’s KLM Dutch Open (2021–2023), is perfectly primed for the spotlight. The venue promises a flawless mix of sports, world-class entertainment, and top-tier hospitality.
With Europe seeking redemption after the USA’s hard-fought $15^{1/2} - 12^{1/2}$ victory in Virginia—and memories of the dramatic 14-14 tie in Spain back in 2023 still fresh—the matches promise to be fiercely competitive.
