LIV Golf coming to New Orleans in summer 2026
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It's official: LIV Golf is coming to New Orleans next summer.
Why it matters: Louisiana is putting up at least $7 million to bring the controversial golf organization to the city during a typically slow time for tourism.
The latest: Pyrotechnics flared as Gov. Jeff Landry welcomed LIV to City Park in a Wednesday morning press conference in front of a crowd of 100 or so local and state officials and sports leaders.
- The event, complete with WWE-style introductions and DJ Khaled singing "All I Do Is Win" over the speakers, was a testament, Landry said, to how different LIV is among golf events.
- "It's a party. It's an entertainment mecca that actually is born for the city of New Orleans," he said. "It's like Jazz Fest with golf clubs."
- Tickets are on sale now for the June 26-28, 2026, event.
Follow the money: With state lawmakers approval, Louisiana's budget this year includes about $2.2 million in improvements to City Park's South golf course for the tournament and another $5 million in fees paid directly to LIV, the Louisiana Illuminator reports.
- The event is expected to generate around $40 million in economic activity, according to a LIV press release.
- "We only go where we're welcomed with open arms," LIV CEO Scott O'Neil said Wednesday.
Between the lines: LIV isn't always warmly received.
- The organization is backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, and critics say the country is using golf to boost its global image, Axios has reported.
- LIV has also had a testy relationship with the PGA Tour, which has disqualified players from participating in events for both organizations. A surprise planned merger also failed to go through.
Zoom in: City Park, which just this week adopted a new master plan, is already in the early stages of renovating some parts of the park. The LIV event doesn't change that, said Rebecca Dietz, the CEO of the City Park Conservancy, which manages the public space.
- But separate from that plan, the South golf course is getting updated, and City Park's driving range will be completely replaced, she told Axios New Orleans. The course improvements should only close the facility for a period of weeks, she said, but the driving range will be shut down for longer.
- Course improvements include lengthening it, refining bunkers and enhancing spectator areas, the LIV press release says.