Solheim Cup 2026 will bring the best women golfers from the United States and Europe together for one of the biggest team competitions in women's professional golf. The 20th edition will be played at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from September 11–13, 2026.
The United States enters the tournament as the defending champion after defeating Europe 15½–12½ in 2024. Europe will now try to regain the trophy on home soil.
The event comes after a busy women's golf season, including major championships such as the Amundi Evian Championship 2026.
Solheim Cup 2026 Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Solheim Cup 2026 |
| Edition | 20th |
| Dates | September 11–13, 2026 |
| Venue | Bernardus Golf |
| Location | Cromvoirt, Netherlands |
| Teams | United States vs Europe |
| Players per team | 12 |
| U.S. Captain | Angela Stanford |
| European Captain | Anna Nordqvist |
| Defending Champion | United States |
| 2024 Result | USA 15½–12½ Europe |
| Total Matches | 28 |
When Is the Solheim Cup 2026?
The 2026 Solheim Cup will be played from Friday, September 11, to Sunday, September 13, 2026.
The first two days feature foursomes and four-ball matches, while Sunday concludes the competition with 12 singles matches.
Where Is the Solheim Cup 2026?
The tournament will be held at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands, near 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch).
This will be the first time the Solheim Cup has been staged in the Netherlands, giving Europe home support in its attempt to regain the trophy.
Who Is the U.S. Solheim Cup Captain?
Angela Stanford is the captain of Team USA for the 2026 Solheim Cup.
Stanford brings extensive Solheim Cup experience to the role. Her decisions on player pairings and match strategy will be important throughout the three-day competition.
Who Is the European Solheim Cup Captain?
Anna Nordqvist will captain Team Europe.
Nordqvist is a highly experienced Solheim Cup player and has represented Europe in numerous editions of the competition. Her experience should be valuable as Europe looks to take advantage of home support.
Team USA
Team USA brings together experienced Solheim Cup players and emerging stars. The American side is expected to rely on a combination of individual quality, match-play experience and strong partnerships.
Players such as Nelly Korda, Rose Zhang, Megan Khang, Alison Lee, Andrea Lee, Allisen Corpuz, Lauren Coughlin, Lindy Duncan, Jennifer Kupcho, Angel Yin, Yealimi Noh and Auston Kim form the American lineup.
Team Europe
Europe also combines experienced performers with younger players who could make an impact in their first Solheim Cup appearances.
The European group includes Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Leona Maguire, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Esther Henseleit, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Lottie Woad, Julia Lopez Ramirez, Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes.
How Does the Solheim Cup Work?
The Solheim Cup is played using match play. Unlike normal stroke-play tournaments, players compete directly against opponents, with each match producing a point for one of the two teams or half a point for each side if the match is tied.
There are 28 matches in total.
Foursomes
Two players form a team and play one ball, taking alternate shots. The team with the lower score on a hole wins that hole.
Four-ball
Both players play their own balls. The best score from the two partners counts for the team on each hole.
Singles
On Sunday, all 12 players from each team compete in individual matches. These 12 matches can decide the destination of the Solheim Cup.
How Solheim Cup Scoring Works
Each match is worth one point.
- Win: 1 point
- Tie: ½ point for each team
- Loss: 0 points
For example, the 1990 Solheim Cup finished USA 11½–4½ Europe. This means the United States earned 11½ points, while Europe earned 4½ points.
With 28 matches and 28 total points available, a team normally needs 14½ points to win outright.
A score of 14–14 means the teams finished level. In 2023, Europe retained the trophy after the teams finished tied.
Solheim Cup History
The Solheim Cup was created as the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup. It is named after Karsten and Louise Solheim, the founders of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, the company behind PING golf equipment.
The first Solheim Cup was held in 1990 at Lake Nona Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. The United States defeated Europe 11½–4½ in the inaugural contest.
Europe's First Victory – 1992
Europe won its first Solheim Cup in 1992 at Dalmahoy Golf Club in Scotland, defeating the United States 11½–6½.
USA Dominance in the 1990s
The United States won three consecutive editions in 1994, 1996 and 1998.
The Americans won 13–7 in 1994, 17–11 in 1996 and 16–12 in 1998.
Europe Builds Momentum
Europe won in 2000 and 2003 before producing another strong run in 2011 and 2013.
Europe's biggest victory came in 2013, when the European team defeated the United States 18–10 at Colorado Golf Club.
Close Contests
The 2015 Solheim Cup was decided by just one point, with the United States winning 14½–13½.
Europe responded in 2019 at Gleneagles, winning another extremely close contest 14½–13½.
Europe Wins in 2021
Europe defeated the United States 15–13 at Inverness Club in Ohio in 2021.
The Historic 2023 Tie
The 2023 Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin in Spain ended 14–14, the first tie in Solheim Cup history.
Europe retained the trophy because it had entered the event as the defending champion.
USA Regains the Trophy in 2024
The United States reclaimed the Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia in 2024.
Team USA defeated Europe 15½–12½, ending the Americans' wait for a victory since 2017.
Solheim Cup Historical Winners
| Year | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | USA | 11½–4½ |
| 1992 | Europe | 11½–6½ |
| 1994 | USA | 13–7 |
| 1996 | USA | 17–11 |
| 1998 | USA | 16–12 |
| 2000 | Europe | 14½–11½ |
| 2002 | USA | 15½–12½ |
| 2003 | Europe | 17½–10½ |
| 2005 | USA | 15½–12½ |
| 2007 | USA | 16–12 |
| 2009 | USA | 16–12 |
| 2011 | Europe | 15–13 |
| 2013 | Europe | 18–10 |
| 2015 | USA | 14½–13½ |
| 2017 | USA | 16½–11½ |
| 2019 | Europe | 14½–13½ |
| 2021 | Europe | 15–13 |
| 2023 | Tie – Europe retained | 14–14 |
| 2024 | USA | 15½–12½ |
The United States currently leads the overall Solheim Cup series 11–8, with one tie.
Solheim Cup 2026 Schedule
Friday, September 11
- Morning: 4 foursomes matches
- Afternoon: 4 four-ball matches
- Total: 8 matches
Saturday, September 12
- Morning: 4 foursomes matches
- Afternoon: 4 four-ball matches
- Total: 8 matches
Sunday, September 13
- 12 singles matches
- Total: 12 matches
That makes 28 matches and 28 available points across the three days.
Key Storylines for 2026
USA Defends the Trophy
The United States will attempt to retain the trophy after its 2024 victory.
Europe Has Home Advantage
For the first time, the Solheim Cup will be played in the Netherlands. European players will have the support of home fans as they try to bring the trophy back to Europe.
Experienced Captains
Angela Stanford and Anna Nordqvist both have extensive Solheim Cup experience. Their tactical decisions and player pairings could prove decisive.
Experience Meets Youth
Both teams contain a mixture of established stars and younger players. Finding successful partnerships will be one of the biggest challenges for both captains.
Why the Solheim Cup Is Special
The Solheim Cup has a different atmosphere from a normal professional golf tournament because players compete for their teams rather than individual titles.
A single putt can win a match and earn a crucial point for the entire team. This makes the competition especially dramatic during the final holes and the Sunday singles.
Solheim Cup 2026: What to Expect
The United States arrives as defending champion, while Europe will have the advantage of playing in front of its home supporters.
With 28 matches and the possibility of the trophy being decided in the final singles, the 2026 Solheim Cup promises another close chapter in one of women's golf's great rivalries.
For fans following the wider women's sports calendar, LankaSport also covers major events such as the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 and the Women's Hockey World Cup 2026.
Solheim Cup 2026 FAQs
When is the Solheim Cup 2026?
The 2026 Solheim Cup will be played from September 11–13, 2026.
Where is the Solheim Cup 2026?
The competition will be held at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands.
Who is the U.S. captain?
Angela Stanford is the U.S. captain.
Who is the European captain?
Anna Nordqvist is the European captain.
How many players are on each team?
Each team has 12 players.
How many matches are played?
There are 28 matches: foursomes and four-ball matches during the first two days, followed by 12 singles matches on Sunday.
Who won the 2024 Solheim Cup?
The United States won the 2024 Solheim Cup 15½–12½.
Who leads the Solheim Cup overall?
The United States leads the historical series 11–8, with one tie.
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