As we build towards the start of the 2026 PGA Tournament season, this is an important moment to update Members on what’s new, what’s changed and where the opportunities lie across the schedule.
Chrome Tour Open Series – Withdrawal Policy
As was seen in 2025, the Chrome Tour PGA Open Series is proving extremely popular and entries continue to grow, with fields for 2026 filling quickly. The nine Chrome Tour PGA Open Series tournaments are currently more than 90% full.
With that, we would like to draw Members’ attention to a key regulation change for 2026:
Due to full fields, pace of play issues and feedback from players, as a trial for this year, an exemption to the withdrawal policy will be made for players wishing to withdraw from a Chrome Tour PGA Open Series event.
Any withdrawal made by a player after they have completed their first round of the tournament, but before the draw for the second round has been published, will not be charged a withdrawal fee.
The trial will seek to address the pace of play on day two of Open Series tournaments and was developed in consultation with staff and players.
For a full reminder of the changes made to the Chrome Tour PGA Open Series, including Terms of Competition and Exemptions, click here.
Course Planners
In response to Member feedback in 2025, we are engaging with Clere Golf to produce course planners for tournaments, with an initial trial taking place early in the season at the first two Chrome Tour PGA Open Series, the Irish PGA Championship, PGA Professional Championship and Senior PGA Championship. The PGA is working with Clere Golf to provide a similar product to that used on the DP World Tour.
Sprint Series - Legacy Tournaments
The 2026 season marks the launch of the brand-new PGA Sprint Series – nine 18-hole events across England & Wales, each carrying a £10,000 prize fund. The PGA Sprint Series plays a key role in the wider tournament pathway, with a dedicated 2026 Order of Merit determining exemptions into both the 2027 Sprint Series and the Chrome Tour Open Series.
Many of the tournaments forming the PGA Sprint Series are legacy tournaments, such as the historic Lancashire Open and West Region Championship which has been played for over 100 years and as such, the trophies for these tournaments will be awarded to the leading player from the geographical Region as well as the overall winner receiving the winner’s cheque.
The PGA Sprint Series is already generating strong interest, with encouraging early entries across multiple events. Spaces are still available, so Members are encouraged to secure their place via the links below:
For a full reminder of the Sprint Series Terms of Competition and Exemptions click here.
Tour spots: 2026 Allocation
With the PGA Play Offs being played for the final time in 2025, there is a need to provide different pathways to the DP World and HotelPlanner Tours. We are pleased to confirm how these places will be allocated. Due to the dates of DPWT and HPT tournaments, some of these are being awarded to 2025 winners, with others allocated based on 2026 success.
Full details of allocations are as follows:
DP World Tour:
BMW PGA Championship (1 spot)
- 2026 PGA Professional Champion
TBC Championship (2 spots)
- 2026 Chrome Tour Open Series Order of Merit Winner
- 2025 Scottish PGA Champion
British Masters (2 spots)
- 2026 Chrome Tour Open Series Order of Merit Winner
- 2026 English PGA Champion
Irish Open (1 spot)
- 2026 Irish PGA Champion
HotelPlanner Tour:
- England Golf Challenge
- 2026 PGA Professional Champion
Scottish Challenge (2 spots)
- 2025 Scottish Order of Merit Winner
- 2026 PGA Professional Champion
Irish Challenge
- 2025 Irish Order of Merit Winner
There is strong demand across the tournament schedule, and as such, Members are encouraged to review the 2026 calendar and submit entries early.
For full Terms of Competition, exemption categories and detailed structural changes previously announced, please revisit the Tournament Strategy Update shared in October 2025.
Enhancing player experience across PGA Tournaments
In line with the Tournament Strategy, we will enhance the player experience at all National Tournament Finals in 2026 through the provision of fresh fruit, supporting player wellbeing and performance. Coca-Cola products will also continue to be offered at the National Finals, maintaining consistency with previous years.
Complimentary water will also be available for all players at every Chrome Tour PGA Open Series event throughout the 2026 season.
To enter the full tournament schedule for 2026, click here.
