LIV Golf announces return to Riyadh for 2026 season opener

A general view of a laser light show seen over the 18th hole to start the first round of LIV Golf Riyadh at Riyadh Golf Club on February 06, 2025. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf)
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Updated 06 August 2025
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LIV Golf announces return to Riyadh for 2026 season opener

  • Tournament will take place under the lights at Riyadh Golf Club from Feb. 5-7

RIYADH: LIV Golf has confirmed its return to Saudi Arabia to launch its 2026 season from Feb. 5-7 under the lights at Riyadh Golf Club.

Cleeks Golf Club’s Adrian Meronk, winner of LIV Golf Riyadh 2025, said: “Winning in Riyadh was one of the proudest moments of my 2025 season. Playing under the lights, in front of such an electric crowd, brought out the best in me.

“LIV Golf Riyadh presented by Roshn Group will be unlike anything else in the game. It’s fast, it’s bold, and it sets the tone for the entire season. I can’t wait to return and defend my title in 2026.”

Roshn Group, Saudi Arabia’s leading multi-asset class real estate developer, continues with LIV Golf as global Pillar Partner for the 2026 season. As the two organizations work together to accelerate the sport’s growth with new audiences, Roshn Group and LIV Golf will champion youth access to golf and promote golf training and talent development.

Last month, LIV Golf and Roshn Group jointly launched the “Rising Stars” program, the first of its kind to educate and inspire young people in Saudi through the sport of golf. As part of a larger six-month golf program led by Golf Saudi, “Rising Stars” participants will benefit from the mentorship at global events from LIV Golf players such as Talor Gooch and Jason Kokrak, lessons from coaches, and inspiring talks from LIV Golf executives, among other experiences.

The 2026 season will be the second consecutive year LIV Golf opens its season in Riyadh, a key stop on the league’s international calendar and a symbol of the Kingdom’s growing commitment to elite sport.

LIV Golf Riyadh presented by Roshn Group builds on the momentum of a groundbreaking 2025 event, in which Meronk claimed a wire-to-wire individual victory and Legion XIII, captained by Jon Rahm, dominated the team competition in the league’s revamped four-score format.

The 2026 event launches a packed global calendar that includes confirmed events in Adelaide (Feb. 13-15), Singapore (March 13-15), South Africa (March 20-22), Mexico City (April 17-19), and the United Kingdom (July 24–26).

Ross Hallett, executive vice president at LIV Golf, said: “Together, with Roshn Group’s continued partnership, we’re excited to bring our global stars once again to Riyadh for our season opener in 2026. Last year’s event was the very first LIV Golf event played under lights, and it provided an electrifying start for players and fans alike, delivering a truly unique viewing experience and reinforcing LIV Golf’s commitment to innovation.

“2026 will be bigger and better with a focus on providing an unforgeable experience including light shows, a food festival, fan experiences, fair rides, golf activities, hospitality, concerts and more. We are grateful for the support of Golf Saudi and Riyadh Golf Club who provide a world class facility for our players and teams to perform.”

Fans can expect to see a stellar field, including Meronk, and defending team champion Legion XIII, featuring Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin and Caleb Surratt. They’ll be joined by international stars including 2025 season points leader and LIV Golf Jeddah 2024 champion Joaquin Niemann (Torque GC), Bryson DeChambeau (Crushers GC), LIV Golf Jeddah 2023 champion Brooks Koepka (Smash GC), Sergio Garcia (Fireballs GC), Cam Smith (Ripper GC), and Dustin Johnson (4Aces GC), among many others.


Jordan make history as they reach Arab Cup final for first time with narrow victory over Saudi Arabia

Updated 15 December 2025
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Jordan make history as they reach Arab Cup final for first time with narrow victory over Saudi Arabia

  • Green Falcons left to rue squandered chances as they miss out on what would have been their first final appearance in the competition since 2002
  • Semi-final victory comes during a stellar year for Jordan in which they also qualified for the World Cup for the first time ever

DOHA: A header by Nizar Al-Rashdan gave Jordan a 1-0 victory in a tense match against Saudi Arabia on Monday and sent them to their first Arab Cup final.

Deprived of the services of Yazan Al-Naimat, who suffered a devastating knee injury in their quarter-final against Iraq, Jordan delivered a brave performance, greatly limiting the Saudi attacking threat across the 90 minutes.

The semi-final at Al-Bayt Stadium in Qatar attracted the highest attendance of the tournament so far, a vibrant crowd of 62,825. Both sides began cautiously, with Jordan lining up in a robust 5-4-1 formation that sought to restrict Salem Al-Dawsari and Saleh Abou Al-Shamat in the final third.

The game opened up a little after the break, as a tactical change from Jordan helped them gain greater control on the counterattack. Mohammed Abu Zrayq in particular proved influential down the right flank as he stretched the Saudi defense and gave the Nashama more attacking momentum.

The decisive moment, however, came from the opposite side. Mahmoud Al-Mardi delivered a dipping cross from the left, catching the Green Falcons’ defense off guard, and Al-Rashdan rose to head home the only goal of the match in the 66th minute.

Saudi Arabia responded with a series of substitutions, including the introduction of Al-Qadsiah midfielder Musab Al-Juwayr. The former Al-Hilal player helped link play between Al-Dawsari and Feras Al-Brikan down the left channel as the Saudis pressed for the equalizer.

Al-Brikan and then Saleh Al-Shehri both went close but Yazeed Abulaila stood firm in goal, producing a crucial save just minutes after Jordan took the lead.

The match ended on a particularly sour note for Saudi Arabia when last man Waleed Al-Ahmed was shown a straight red card in the closing moments after bringing down an opponent to halt a counterattack, as Jordan saw out their historic victory.

They now face Morocco, who earlier in the day defeated the UAE 3-0, in the final on Thursday.