LIV Golf’s funding loss forces Saudi-backed sports to confront what sustainability really looks like without limitless capital.
LIV Golf is reportedly set to be left without funding from Saudi Arabia at the end of the 2026 season, leaving a huge question mark over its future.
According to reports, executives are expected to relay the decision to players in meetings later today (30 April), confirming that funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will not continue next season.
The Kingdom’s PIF has been the sport’s main source of funding, with more than $5bn invested into the league since its launch in 2022. Without a replacement investor, the tour now faces the prospect of closure just four years after its launch.
The decision follows discussions around Saudi Arabia’s broader investment strategy, with attention turning to whether LIV can secure alternative backing or restructure its model to survive.
While LIV has continued to stage events in 2026, including its upcoming tournament in Virginia, uncertainty around its future is expected to grow, with the competition already postponing its Louisiana stop in June.
A disruption that fractured golf
LIV Golf’s potential collapse would be a turbulent end to one of the most disruptive periods in golf.
Since its launch, the league has caused a divide between fans, players and commercial partners, using lucrative contracts to attract some of the sport’s biggest names away from the PGA Tour.
Jon Rahm’s switch from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf in 2023 was a milestone and was seen as an indicator to the more established competition that there was a real threat. Reports at the time suggested the move had the potential to earn him around $570m (£450m).
Other stars, including Rory McIlroy, have stayed loyal to the PGA Tour, stating that the breakaway competition did not offer much of a product beyond more money.
There were then efforts announced in 2023 to merge the two organisations, which even saw involvement from US President Donald Trump. However, talks failed to make any meaningful progress.
With this period looking likely to come to a natural end, many LIV Golf players could face a complicated path back to traditional tours. The PGA Tour would hold a strong negotiating position, but would also need to balance reintegration with fairness to players who chose not to leave.
LIV Golf isn’t the only one
LIV Golf is not the only sport backed by Saudi Arabia that has faced uncertainty in recent months.
The Kingdom has invested across multiple sports in recent years, including football, golf, esports, combat sports and snooker, as part of a wider plan to diversify its economy away from oil and become a global entertainment hub.
Snooker is one of the more recent additions to that strategy, though it was reported last week that the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker will not be renewed at the same funding level.
Like many competitions backed by the PIF, the main draw has been increased prize money that other events struggle to match. However, prize fund commitments are being reduced, and what was expected to be a long-term partnership is on thin ice.
Saudi Arabia is not stepping away entirely, with continued focus on areas where it sees long-term growth and global reach.
Esports is a key priority, proven by the expansion of the Esports World Cup, while combat sports also attract investment through high-profile events and new ventures.
Recent initiatives involving major boxing names, including a bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, as well as projects linked to Zuffa Boxing and Ring Magazine, suggest the sport will be largely unaffected.
