FedEx’s PGA Tour future in doubt as FedExCup Playoffs begin in Memphis

The FedExCup Playoffs begin this week with one of the PGA Tour’s longest-standing commercial relationships facing an uncertain future.

FedEx’s current deal with the PGA Tour runs through the end of the 2027 season, meaning the shipping giant has two more years on an agreement that has helped define the Tour’s postseason since the FedExCup was introduced in 2007.

More than $1 billion in bonus money has been distributed through the FedExCup during that time.

But significant changes are coming.

The PGA Tour plans to introduce a new two-tier structure in 2028, centred around a Championship Series and Challenger Series. However, Memphis, home of FedEx, will not host one of the 15 regular-season Championship Series events, it was confirmed by the PGA Tour last week. 

That development has inevitably raised questions about the future of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, which begins this week at TPC Southwind.

The tournament is currently the opening event of the three-event FedExCup Playoffs, but its existing sponsorship agreement also runs only for more season. 

The PGA Tour has said Memphis remains “well-positioned to remain part of the PGA Tour”, although the city's exclusion from the new top-tier Championship Series represents a significant change.

The Tour has indicated that FedEx’s relationship is likely to evolve rather than simply end.

“All options are on the table with FedEx,” PGA Tour Chief Commercial Officer Dhruv Prasad told Front Office Sports in June.

Prasad also confirmed that the PGA Tour is “actively talking to FedEx” about the partnership's future, adding: “I think they’re excited about the potential for what their partnership could be — whether it looks exactly like what they have today, I don’t know.”

He suggested the new structure could actually create additional opportunities for the company, saying: “I actually think there are more opportunities for FedEx in the future in how they work with the tour than there are today, given some of the changes that we made to the model.”

According to Front Office Sports, industry expectations suggest FedEx may not continue as the sole naming-rights sponsor of the season-long points race beyond 2027.

The company has not ruled out remaining involved. 

FedEx said it understands the PGA Tour's vision for the future and highlighted its “longstanding partnership over the last 40 years”, while expressing disappointment that the Memphis tournament will not feature in the new Championship Series.

For now though, the FedExCup remains unchanged as know it. 

Tommy Fleetwood will this month attempt to become the first player in history to successfully defend the FedEx Cup.

Rory McIlroy is a record three-time winner of the trophy. 

Almost $100 million in bonus money will be distributed to the top 125 players following next week's BMW Championship, before the eventual champion collects $10 million from the Tour Championship's $40 million purse.

The bigger question though is what happens after next season. 

FedEx and the PGA Tour remain in discussions, but one of golf's most recognisable partnerships is clearly approaching a crossroads.