Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is set to end its financial backing of LIV Golf after the 2026 season, a move that throws the long-term future of the breakaway tour into fresh doubt.
According to BBC Sport and Reuters, LIV is preparing a new strategic plan and is expected to seek replacement investors as it tries to move forward without direct Saudi funding. Reports also suggest new independent board members could be announced as part of the next phase of the tour’s restructuring.
Reuters reported that the league has received more than $5bn in backing since its launch and is now exploring ways to reposition the business while keeping its team-based model alive. Sources cited in the report said LIV remains in constructive talks with potential investors, even as officials accept the circuit may need to shrink significantly from its current scale.
The latest development follows growing uncertainty around the league this month. LIV chief executive Scott O’Neil had told players the 2026 season would continue “as planned and uninterrupted” amid rumours about the tour’s future.
Signs of turbulence have already emerged. LIV postponed its June event in New Orleans, meaning there will be no US-based LIV tournaments between 10 May and 6 August, although events in South Korea, Spain and Britain are still due to go ahead during that period.
Questions also remain over leadership. Reports have linked the shake-up to the possible departure of Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the PIF governor and one of LIV’s most influential figures since its creation. Reuters noted that PIF’s decision comes as Saudi Arabia shifts towards what it describes as more sustainable investment priorities.
LIV’s financial strain has been mounting, the tour’s net losses outside the US rose to about $462m in 2024, taking total international losses since 2021 to more than $1.1bn, with overall losses likely running into several billions once the US side is included.
For now, LIV is expected to continue through the rest of the current season. But Saudi Arabia’s withdrawal would mark the biggest turning point yet for the league and could reopen questions about whether some players may now look again at routes back to the PGA Tour or DP World Tour