Do Solheim Cup players get paid? Prize money, format, teams, TV times and past results

The 2026 Solheim Cup takes place at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from September 11-13, but for the 24 players competing in one of women's golf's biggest team events, there is one thing noticeably absent: prize money.

In an era when the world's leading golfers regularly compete for purses worth millions of dollars, the Solheim Cup remains a fascinating exception.

The players representing Europe and the United States at Bernardus Golf this week will not receive prize money for winning the contest, nor will there be a payout for the losing team. 

Instead, they are playing for the honour of representing their team, national and continental pride, and the chance to lift one of the most recognisable trophies in women's golf.

Do Solheim Cup players get paid?

There is no prize fund attached to the Solheim Cup and players do not receive prize money based on their performance or their team's final result.

Players are, however, looked after throughout the week, with the event's organisers providing the necessary travel, accommodation, hospitality and team equipment associated with representing Europe or the United States.

It is a striking contrast to the individual professional game, especially on the LPGA where players regularly compete for multi-million prize purses. 

The Solheim Cup, though, is about something different.

For players who usually compete against one another in an individual sport, the opportunity to play as part of a team can be one of the highlights of a career.

The situation differs slightly from the Ryder Cup. While European Ryder Cup players do not receive prize money for competing, the American team now has a player-payment structure that includes a $300,000 charitable contribution and $200,000 stipend.

It's understood every member of the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team, which lost 15-13 to Luke Donald's Europe at Bethpage Black in New York, handed their full $500,000 payments to charity. 

At the Solheim Cup, however, there is no prize purse to divide. The motivation is simply representing your nation with pride and lifting the trophy with your teammates come Sunday night. 

USA defending champions

The 2026 contest will be the 20th playing of the Solheim Cup and the first time either the Solheim Cup or Ryder Cup has been staged in the Netherlands.

Bernardus Golf, in Cromvoirt, previously hosted the Dutch Open for three consecutive years between 2021 and 2023.

Team USA arrive as defending champions following their 15.5-12.5 victory over Europe in Virginia in 2024.

The United States lead the overall series 11-8, with only one contest tied when Europe retained the cup in Spain (2023). 

Angela Stanford leads the American team, while Europe are captained by Anna Nordqvist.

Stanford is a six-time Solheim Cup player, while Nordqvist represented Europe on nine occasions during her playing career. 

Now, the two former stars face one another as captains for the first time. 

Watch our exclusive interview with captain Nordqvist in the latest episode of GolfMagic's 'Her Game' podcast here: 

2026 Solheim Cup teams

Team Europe: Charley Hull, Esther Henseleit, Lottie Woad, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Céline Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, plus captain's picks Leona Maguire, Julia Lopez Ramirez, Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes.

Team USA: Nelly Korda, Angel Yin, Jennifer Kupcho, Yealimi Noh, Auston Kim, Lauren Coughlin, Allisen Corpuz, Andrea Lee, Alison Lee, plus captain's picks Megan Khang, Rose Zhang and Lindy Duncan.

Solheim Cup format and schedule

The Solheim Cup is played entirely in match play, with 28 points available across three days.

Friday, September 11

• Morning: Four foursomes matches
• Afternoon: Four four-ball matches

Saturday, September 12

• Morning: Four foursomes matches
• Afternoon: Four four-ball matches

Sunday, September 13

• Twelve singles matches

In foursomes, two players represent each team and alternate shots with the same ball.

Four-ball sees all four players use their own golf ball, with the best score from each pair counting on every hole.

Sunday singles needs little explanation with all 12 players competing in head-to-head matches.

Each match is worth one point. 

A team needs 14.5 points to win the Solheim Cup outright.

However, because the USA are defending champions in 2026, a 14-14 tie would see Stanford's side retain the trophy.

Sabine Riezebos, General Manager of Bernardus Golf, speaks to GolfMagic just days before the 2026 Solheim Cup:

How to watch the 2026 Solheim Cup

UK viewers can watch the action live on Sky Sports Golf.

Thursday

• 4pm-5pm: Opening ceremony, Sky Sports+

Friday

• 6am-6pm: Day one, Sky Sports Golf

Saturday

• 6am-6pm: Day two, Sky Sports Golf

Sunday

• 9am-5pm: Sunday singles, Sky Sports Golf
• 5.30pm-6.30pm: Closing ceremony, Sky Sports+

In the United States, Golf Channel is scheduled to provide coverage, with the supplied broadcast schedule listing Friday and Saturday coverage from 1.30am ET until 1pm ET, followed by Sunday coverage from 5am ET until noon ET. 

Who are the favourites?

The bookmakers can barely separate the two sides on the eve of Friday's first day.

Ahead of the contest, Team USA are marginal favourites at 10/11, with Europe available at evens. 

If you fancy a tie, you can get 11/1.

Check out every result in Solheim Cup history below...

Solheim Cup results: Every contest since 1990

Why is it called the Solheim Cup?

The Solheim Cup is named after Karsten Solheim, the founder of golf equipment manufacturer PING. 

Solheim played a key role in bringing the idea of a Ryder Cup-style team competition for women's golf to life, helping create the event that first took place in 1990.

Keep it locked to GolfMagic as we will have live scores, updates and commentary from all three days of the 2026 Solheim Cup. 
 

Subscribe to Her Game and follow along with the latest episodes.

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Her Game Podcast Series

• Episode 1 - Iona Stephen
• Episode 2 - Annabell Fuller
• Episode 3 - Zainab Jeppe
• Episode 4 - Sabine Riezebos
• Episode 5 - Anna Nordqvist

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