Prize fund increase and broadcast hours

The R&A and AIG have announced an increased prize fund and extended broadcast hours for the AIG Women’s Open which is celebrating its 50th anniversary at Royal Lytham & St Annes this summer, 29 July – 2 August.

Speaking ahead of this year’s milestone Championship, Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, and Peter Zaffino, Chairman & CEO of AIG, confirmed that athletes competing at Royal Lytham & St Annes will play for a prize fund of US$10 million.

“This is the sixth consecutive year that the AIG Women’s Open prize fund has been increased,” said Darbon.

“These consistent and sustainable investments in the prize fund clearly demonstrate The R&A and AIG’s commitment to elevating the Championship on the global stage.”

The growth of the Championship is reflected in its evolution over five decades. Jenny Lee Smith won the inaugural title in 1976 when the total prize fund stood at £500.

By 2008, when the Championship was last held at Sunningdale, which has been announced as the 2028 AIG Women’s Open venue, Jiyai Shin claimed the winner’s share of a US$2.1 million purse.

Georgia Hall triumphed at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2018, with a total prize fund of US$3.25 million, the year prior to The R&A and AIG partnership, and the purse has more than trebled in the eight years since.

Broadcast coverage of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open will also expand significantly, offering fans enhanced opportunities to follow the action.

For rounds one and two, a new early broadcast window will provide three additional hours of live coverage each day.

Early-window coverage, from 9am to 1pm BST, will feature the morning marquee groups with full main coverage, from 1pm to 7pm BST, bringing the best action from across the course to fans around the world.

The AIG Women’s Open will be broadcast live for seven hours, from 12pm to 7pm BST, on Saturday and Sunday.

Coverage will be available live and in full on Sky Sports and R&A TV in the UK, while audiences in the United States can watch on Golf Channel, USA Network and NBC. International coverage includes JTBC in South Korea, JGN and U-Next in Japan, and VGolf across Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway.

This increased coverage – up to 34 hours across four days – ensures that the AIG Women’s Open has more linear television broadcast hours in the UK and US than any other women’s golf championship.

Zaffino said: "The AIG Women’s Open reflects our commitment to advancing women in business, sports and society, which is core to AIG’s values.

"In partnership with The R&A, we are making important strides in elevating the women’s game by continuing to increase the Championship purse and extending live broadcast coverage that will reach an even wider global audience of fans."

Darbon added: "Elevating all aspects of the AIG Women’s Open is key to our continued success as we build on the foundation of the past 49 years. Building the profile of women’s golf remains central to our ambition to establish the Championship as one of the world’s leading women’s sporting events.

"Our broadcast coverage is fundamental to that ambition and with a with a 20% increase in live hours compared to 2025, we are setting a new benchmark for women’s golf.

"The AIG Women’s Open now delivers more linear television broadcast hours in the UK and US than any other women’s golf championship, giving fans unprecedented access to the very best players in the world. This is another important step forward as we continue to invest in the Championship and grow its global audience."

Fans are also encouraged to experience the AIG Women’s Open in person, with tickets available. As part of The R&A’s ‘Kids Go Free’ initiative, children under 16 can attend free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult, while youth tickets (ages 16–24) are available at half price.

A range of premium hospitality packages is also on offer, providing elevated viewing experiences alongside more than ten hours of world-class golf each day.