The 2026 Walker Cup brings together many of the best amateur golfers in the world for one of the most prestigious team competitions in golf.
The 51st edition of the Walker Cup features the United States against Great Britain & Ireland in a two-day competition consisting of foursomes and singles matches.
So, when and where is the 2026 Walker Cup?
The 2026 Walker Cup takes place Saturday, September 5 through Sunday, September 6, at Lahinch Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland.
The United States enters the competition as the defending Walker Cup champion after defeating Great Britain & Ireland at Cypress Point Club in 2025.
Here is everything to know about the 2026 Walker Cup, including the dates, location, format and television schedule.
When Is the 2026 Walker Cup?
The 2026 Walker Cup is being played Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, 2026.
Unlike many major golf tournaments that take place over four days, the Walker Cup is a two-day team competition.
Both days feature foursomes and singles matches as the United States and Great Britain & Ireland compete for enough points to win the Walker Cup.
Where Is the 2026 Walker Cup?
The 2026 Walker Cup is being held at Lahinch Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland.
Lahinch is one of Ireland’s most historic links golf courses and provides a traditional links setting for the 51st Walker Cup.
The event adds another chapter to Lahinch Golf Club’s long history of hosting elite amateur golf.
2026 Walker Cup Location
| 2026 Walker Cup Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 51st Walker Cup |
| Dates | September 5-6, 2026 |
| Course | Lahinch Golf Club |
| Location | County Clare, Ireland |
| Teams | United States vs. Great Britain & Ireland |
| Format | Foursomes and singles |
| Defending Champion | United States |
| TV Channel | Golf Channel |
Who Plays in the Walker Cup?
The Walker Cup is contested between amateur golfers representing the United States and Great Britain & Ireland.
Each team consists of 10 players, bringing the field to 20 of the leading male amateur golfers from the two sides.
The competition is similar in concept to the Ryder Cup, although the Walker Cup is exclusively for amateur golfers.
Players compete for their respective teams rather than for individual prize money.
What Is the Walker Cup Format?
The Walker Cup uses match play, with points awarded based on the outcome of each match.
The competition includes two primary formats: foursomes and singles.
Foursomes: Two golfers from each team compete as partners while alternating shots with one ball.
Singles: One golfer from the United States competes directly against one golfer from Great Britain & Ireland.
Matches are played over 18 holes.
A victory earns one point for the winning team, while a tied match results in each side receiving half a point.
The team accumulating the necessary number of points over the two days wins the Walker Cup.
What Channel Is the 2026 Walker Cup On?
The 2026 Walker Cup is televised on Golf Channel in the United States.
Coverage is scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday from Lahinch Golf Club.
Saturday, September 5
Morning coverage: 3:30-8:00 a.m. ET
Afternoon coverage: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. ET
Sunday, September 6
Morning coverage: 3:00-7:30 a.m. ET
Afternoon coverage: 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. ET
The early start times in the United States are due to the time difference between Ireland and the U.S. East Coast.
Who Won the Last Walker Cup?
The United States won the 2025 Walker Cup, defeating Great Britain & Ireland 17-9 at Cypress Point Club in California.
That victory continued a strong stretch for the Americans in the competition.
The United States enters the 2026 Walker Cup having won the previous five editions and will attempt to extend that streak at Lahinch.
How Often Is the Walker Cup Played?
The Walker Cup has traditionally been held every two years, alternating between venues in the United States and Great Britain & Ireland.
However, the competition is being held in consecutive years in 2025 and 2026 as part of a scheduling change.
Following the 2026 competition at Lahinch, the Walker Cup will continue under its revised scheduling cycle.
What Is the Walker Cup?
The Walker Cup is one of amateur golf’s most prestigious international team competitions.
It is jointly organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and The R&A.
The competition was first officially played in 1922 and has featured many golfers who later became major stars on the professional tours.
The Walker Cup provides elite amateur players with an opportunity to represent their country or region in a team match-play environment before potentially beginning professional careers.
When Does the 2026 Walker Cup Start?
The first matches of the 2026 Walker Cup begin Saturday morning, September 5, at Lahinch Golf Club.
Because the tournament is being played in Ireland, American viewers will need to tune in early to follow the opening matches live.
Golf Channel’s Saturday coverage begins at 3:30 a.m. ET, followed by additional coverage beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET.
The competition concludes Sunday, September 6, when the final singles matches determine which team wins the 51st Walker Cup.
2026 Walker Cup: What to Know
The 2026 Walker Cup takes place September 5-6 at Lahinch Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland, with the United States facing Great Britain & Ireland.
Twenty of the world’s leading male amateur golfers will compete across foursomes and singles matches during the two-day competition.
The United States arrives as the defending champion following its 17-9 victory at Cypress Point in 2025.
For viewers in the United States, coverage of the 2026 Walker Cup is available on Golf Channel, beginning early Saturday morning because of the time difference between Ireland and the United States.