The 90th Masters Tournament is nearly upon us. Every April, the golfing world turns its attention to Augusta National Golf Club — the cathedral of the sport — where azaleas line the fairways, traditions run deep, and history is written one Sunday at a time.
Whether you're planning your viewing schedule, dreaming of attending in person, or simply want to know when the 2026 Masters starts, this is your complete guide.
When Is the 2026 Masters?
The 2026 Masters Tournament takes place April 9–12, 2026, at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. It is the first of the four men's major championships this year and the 90th edition of the tournament.
Masters Week begins Monday, April 6, with practice rounds running through Wednesday. The beloved Par 3 Contest takes place Wednesday, April 8 — one of the most charming traditions in golf, where players often invite their children to caddie.
Full 2026 Masters Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Mon, April 6 | Practice rounds begin |
| Tue, April 7 | Practice rounds, player press conferences |
| Wed, April 8 | Par 3 Contest, final practice |
| Thu, April 9 | Round 1 |
| Fri, April 10 | Round 2 (36-hole cut) |
| Sat, April 11 | Round 3 — "Moving Day" |
| Sun, April 12 | Final Round |
How to Watch the 2026 Masters
Coverage of the 2026 Masters spans more platforms than ever, with a total of 27 broadcast hours — a 50% increase over 2024, thanks to Amazon Prime Video's new Thursday/Friday window.
TV & Streaming Schedule
| Day | Network | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday & Friday | Amazon Prime Video | 1:00 – 3:00 PM |
| Thursday & Friday | ESPN | 3:00 – 7:30 PM |
| Saturday & Sunday | Paramount+ (streaming) | 12:00 PM onward |
| Saturday & Sunday | CBS | 2:00 – 7:00 PM |
Free streaming: Masters.com and the official Masters app offer multiple live feeds throughout all four days — including Featured Groups, Amen Corner, and Holes 15 & 16 — at no cost.
The Defending Champion: Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy returns to Augusta as the defending champion after one of golf's most emotional victories. At the 2025 Masters, McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff to finally claim the green jacket — completing the career Grand Slam and becoming only the sixth man in history to win all four major championships.
The victory ended an 11-year major drought for McIlroy and was widely regarded as the defining moment of his career. He earned $4.2 million for the win — and the right to choose the Champions Dinner menu for 2026.
Players to Watch & Betting Favorites
The 2026 field is stacked. Here are the leading contenders heading into Augusta:
| Player | Odds | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +480 | World No. 1; 2022 & 2024 champion |
| Rory McIlroy | +1000 | Defending champion, career Grand Slam |
| Bryson DeChambeau | +1200 | |
| Jon Rahm | +1200 | 2023 Masters champion |
| Ludvig Aberg | +1600 | |
| Xander Schauffele | +1600 | |
| Collin Morikawa | +2700 | |
| Justin Rose | +2700 | 2025 runner-up |
| Tiger Woods | +25000 | Has not ruled himself out |
Scottie Scheffler enters as the clear favorite. The world No. 1 has won two of the last four Masters and posted four consecutive top-10 finishes at Augusta. His course knowledge and ball-striking make him the man to beat.
Keep an eye on Ludvig Aberg, the young Swede who has quickly become one of the most exciting players in the game, and Justin Rose, who will carry the sting of his 2025 playoff loss into a revenge bid.
Augusta National Course Changes for 2026
Augusta National rarely sits still. For 2026, the club has made a notable change to the 17th hole (Nandina) — the tee box has been repositioned and the hole now plays at 450 yards, up from 440. It ranked as the 4th-hardest hole in the 2025 tournament with a scoring average of 4.230.
Total course yardage for 2026 is 7,565 yards, par 72 — continuing Augusta's gradual lengthening to challenge modern power games.
A new Players Services Building (Phase II) is also opening for 2026, with expanded fitness, physiotherapy, locker rooms, and dining facilities for competitors.
Tickets & Patrons Badges
Getting into Augusta National is famously difficult. The official ticket lottery for 2026 closed in June 2025, and Augusta National strictly prohibits resale of patrons badges.
- Practice round badges: $125 (Mon/Tue), $150 (Wed)
- Tournament round badges: $160 per day
- Four-day badge: $525
- Series badges: Fully subscribed — the waiting list closed in 1978
For those seeking access, third-party hospitality packages typically start around $10,000–$13,000+ per person. The next opportunity to enter the official lottery will open in June 2026 for the 2027 tournament.
Prize Money
Augusta National releases the official purse the Monday of tournament week. Based on recent increases — the 2025 purse was $21 million (up from $20 million in 2024) — the 2026 total purse is projected at $22–23 million, with the winner earning approximately $4.5 million.
Recent Masters Purse History
| Year | Champion | Winner's Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Rory McIlroy | $4.2M |
| 2024 | Scottie Scheffler | $3.6M |
| 2023 | Jon Rahm | $3.24M |
| 2022 | Scottie Scheffler | $2.7M |
| 2021 | Hideki Matsuyama | $2.07M |
Augusta National: The Course
Augusta National Golf Club was designed by Alister MacKenzie and opened in January 1933, built on a former plant nursery — which is why every hole is named after a tree or flowering shrub.
- Par: 72 (four par 3s, ten par 4s, four par 5s)
- Yardage (2026): 7,565 yards
- Longest hole: No. 2 — 575 yards
- Shortest hole: No. 12 (Golden Bell) — 155 yards, the heart of Amen Corner
- Toughest hole: No. 10, which historically averages 4.31 strokes
The back nine at Augusta is where Masters Sundays come alive — from the treacherous tee shot on 10, through the beauty and peril of Amen Corner (11, 12, 13), to the risk-reward drama of 15 and 16. There is no stretch of holes in golf that produces more theatre.
Inspired by Augusta's design? Read our companion piece: How to Bring Augusta National Home — architecture, landscaping, and interiors drawn from the world's most famous golf course.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Masters Tournament?
The 2026 Masters runs April 9–12 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Practice rounds begin April 6, and the Par 3 Contest is Wednesday, April 8.
How can I watch the 2026 Masters on TV?
Thursday and Friday: Amazon Prime Video (1–3 PM ET) and ESPN (3–7:30 PM ET). Saturday and Sunday: CBS (2–7 PM ET) and Paramount+. Free streaming is available at Masters.com and the official Masters app.
Who is the defending Masters champion?
Rory McIlroy, who won the 2025 Masters in a playoff over Justin Rose, completing the career Grand Slam.
Can I still get tickets to the 2026 Masters?
The official lottery closed in June 2025. Augusta National does not permit ticket resale. Third-party hospitality packages start around $10,000 per person.
What is the expected prize money for the 2026 Masters?
The purse is expected to be approximately $22–23 million, with the winner earning around $4.5 million. Official figures are announced the Monday of tournament week.
Who is the favorite to win the 2026 Masters?
Scottie Scheffler is the betting favorite at +480. He's the world No. 1, a two-time Masters champion (2022, 2024), and has four straight top-10 finishes at Augusta.