The BMW Championship returns in August with 50 of the PGA TOUR’s best players competing in the second event of the FedExCup Playoffs.
This year’s tournament heads to Bellerive Country Club near St. Louis, where four rounds of no-cut golf will determine which players advance to the season-ending TOUR Championship.
Here is everything currently confirmed about the BMW Championship 2026 Live coverage, tournament schedule, field, prize money, and viewing options.
Quick Overview
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | 2026 BMW Championship |
| Tournament Week | August 18-23, 2026 |
| Competition Rounds | August 20-23, 2026 |
| Venue | Bellerive Country Club |
| Location | St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Tour | PGA TOUR |
| FedExCup Stage | Second FedExCup Playoffs event |
| Field Size | Top 50 eligible players in the FedExCup standings |
| Cut | No cut |
| Purse | $20 million |
| Defending Champion | Scottie Scheffler |
| US Broadcaster | Official round-by-round schedule to be confirmed; check PGA TOUR broadcast listings closer to tournament week |
The 2026 BMW Championship is scheduled for August 18-23, with official tournament rounds played from Thursday, August 20, through Sunday, August 23.
Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, hosts the championship, and the tournament will feature the top 50 eligible players remaining in the FedExCup Playoffs.
The official tournament website lists a $20 million purse and Scottie Scheffler as the defending champion.
The tournament uses a no-cut format, meaning every player who starts the event can complete all four rounds unless they withdraw or are disqualified.
The competition format makes the BMW Championship one of the most consequential tournaments on the PGA TOUR schedule.
Only 30 players advance from Bellerive to the TOUR Championship, so the FedExCup standings can change dramatically over four rounds.
How to Watch BMW Championship 2026 Live
Complete round-by-round television windows and streaming schedules had not been published by the PGA TOUR at the time this guide was updated.
The BMW Championship is part of the PGA TOUR’s domestic media-rights package.
Recent editions have featured weekday coverage on Golf Channel, weekend coverage divided between Golf Channel and NBC, and digital streaming coverage through PGA TOUR Live on ESPN+.
The exact 2026 channel assignments and airtimes should be confirmed closer to August.
Step-by-Step Guide to Watching the BMW Championship
- Check the official tournament dates. Tournament week runs from August 18-23, with competitive rounds scheduled from August 20-23.
- Visit the official broadcast schedule. Use the PGA TOUR broadcast schedule during tournament week to verify television networks and airtimes.
- Choose your viewing service. Viewers in the United States should check their television provider and PGA TOUR streaming platforms after the official schedule is released.
- Confirm your regional broadcaster. PGA TOUR coverage rights vary by country. International viewers should consult their local PGA TOUR broadcaster or television listings.
- Check featured-group availability. Digital coverage can provide additional viewing windows, featured groups, and selected-hole feeds before network television coverage begins.
- Verify the final-round schedule. Sunday airtimes can occasionally be adjusted because of tournament conditions or operational requirements.
BMW Championship 2026 TV Channels and Streaming by Country
International broadcast arrangements require particular care because PGA TOUR rights differ across territories.
Some regional schedules are published only shortly before tournament week.
United States
The complete 2026 BMW Championship television schedule has not yet been published.
Golf Channel and NBC carried the 2025 BMW Championship, with PGA TOUR Live coverage available through ESPN+.
The 2025 schedule included Golf Channel coverage on Thursday and Friday, combined Golf Channel and NBC coverage during the weekend, and Peacock streaming NBC’s weekend windows.
That previous schedule provides useful context but should not be presented as the confirmed 2026 lineup.
For the 2026 tournament, viewers should check the official PGA TOUR broadcast schedule closer to August.
Potential viewing platforms under current PGA TOUR media arrangements include:
- Golf Channel for television coverage.
- NBC for selected weekend coverage.
- Peacock for NBC simulcasts or related coverage when scheduled.
- PGA TOUR Live on ESPN+ for digital coverage such as featured groups and selected holes.
Exact start times and platform assignments remain subject to the official 2026 broadcast announcement.
Does Watching Require a Subscription?
Subscription requirements depend on the platform selected.
Golf Channel generally requires access through a participating television provider or live-TV streaming package. Peacock and ESPN+ require eligible subscriptions for premium live sports programming offered through those services.
Fans should compare available packages after the final tournament schedule is announced rather than purchasing a service based solely on the previous season’s coverage.
United Kingdom
Sky Sports Golf is the established home of PGA TOUR coverage in the United Kingdom.
Viewers should check the Sky Sports Golf schedule during BMW Championship week for confirmed broadcast windows and supplementary programming.
The tournament takes place in Missouri, creating a significant time difference for UK viewers. Afternoon tee times in the United States can extend coverage into the evening in Britain.
Exact UK start times should be checked after official tee times and broadcast schedules are published.
Canada
Canadian viewers should check TSN and TSN+ listings closer to the tournament.
TSN has carried PGA TOUR coverage in Canada, but the exact BMW Championship broadcast schedule should be verified when tournament-week listings become available.
Digital coverage availability can depend on the viewer’s subscription package.
Because tournament times are published in US Central Time locally at Bellerive, Canadian viewers should convert the schedule according to their province or territory.
Australia
Australian golf fans should consult Fox Sports and Kayo Sports listings closer to the opening round.
Those services carry major international golf coverage in Australia, but exact BMW Championship 2026 airtimes had not been confirmed at the time of publication.
The time difference means live rounds can air overnight or during the early morning in Australia.
Fans planning to watch complete rounds should check the official schedule shortly before the tournament begins.
Rest of the World
PGA TOUR coverage is distributed internationally through regional media partners, and access varies substantially by country.
Viewers outside the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia should check:
- The PGA TOUR’s official tournament and broadcast pages.
- Local sports television listings.
- Regional streaming services holding PGA TOUR rights.
- Their television provider’s electronic program guide.
The PGA TOUR introduced a dedicated international world feed in 2025, giving international media partners a broadcast product separate from the primary US network telecast.
Local availability still depends on regional rights agreements and broadcaster schedules.
Avoid relying on unofficial streaming websites. Unauthorized services can disappear during live coverage, provide poor-quality video, expose viewers to intrusive advertising, or violate local copyright laws.
BMW Championship 2026 Schedule
The 2026 BMW Championship takes place during the week of August 18-23.
Competitive rounds are scheduled for August 20-23 at Bellerive Country Club. The official PGA TOUR schedule lists the BMW Championship immediately after the FedEx St. Jude Championship and before the TOUR Championship.
Tuesday, August 18
Tournament-week activities begin at Bellerive Country Club.
Players can use practice facilities, prepare for competition, and complete tournament-related commitments.
Spectator access and official activities should be confirmed through the tournament’s published schedule.
Wednesday, August 19
The final preparation day takes place before competitive play begins.
Players continue practice rounds, course preparation, and media commitments.
Official first-round pairings and tee times are normally available near the beginning of the tournament.
Thursday, August 20 – First Round
The opening round of the 2026 BMW Championship begins.
All 50 qualified players are expected to start the tournament, subject to withdrawals or other changes.
Because the tournament has no cut, a difficult opening round does not automatically end a player’s week.
Exact first-round tee times will be published closer to the tournament.
Friday, August 21 – Second Round
The second round continues at Bellerive.
Players attempt to establish position on the leaderboard and improve their projected FedExCup ranking.
There is no traditional 36-hole cut after Friday’s round.
Every remaining player continues into the weekend.
Saturday, August 22 – Third Round
The third round begins the decisive weekend phase.
Tee times are generally determined by leaderboard position after the completion of 36 holes.
Saturday can become especially important for golfers near the projected top-30 FedExCup threshold.
Official tee times will be released after second-round play is complete.
Sunday, August 23 – Final Round
The championship concludes with the fourth and final round.
The tournament winner will be crowned, the $20 million purse will be distributed, and the 30 qualifiers for the TOUR Championship will be determined according to the final FedExCup standings.
A playoff may be required if players are tied for the lead after 72 holes.
Exact final-round starting times and television windows will be announced closer to tournament week.
BMW Championship 2026 Field
The BMW Championship field is not based on invitations or a conventional open-entry process.
Qualification is determined through the FedExCup Playoffs.
The top 70 eligible players advance to the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first playoff event. After that tournament, the field is reduced to the top 50 eligible players for the BMW Championship.
Those players compete at Bellerive for the opportunity to finish among the top 30 and qualify for the TOUR Championship.
The official tournament website confirms a 50-player field and no cut.
When Will the Final Field Be Confirmed?
The complete field cannot be finalized until the conclusion of the FedEx St. Jude Championship on August 16.
FedExCup points earned during that tournament will determine which players advance to Bellerive.
For that reason, any complete BMW Championship player list published well before the first playoff event should be treated as provisional.
Current FedExCup standings can identify players in strong qualification positions, but rankings remain subject to change.
Players to Watch
Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament cycle as the defending BMW Championship winner after capturing the 2025 title.
The remaining field will depend on the final FedExCup standings following the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Golf fans can expect an elite lineup because the qualification process removes all but the top 50 eligible players from the playoff race.
That concentrated field is one reason the BMW Championship routinely produces a leaderboard filled with established winners, major champions, and leading PGA TOUR players.
BMW Championship 2026 Purse and Prize Money
The official tournament website lists a total purse of $20 million for the 2026 BMW Championship.
This places the tournament among the most lucrative events on the PGA TOUR schedule.
The $20 million purse is distributed among the players who compete at Bellerive.
Because the BMW Championship features only 50 players and has no cut, every player completing the tournament is positioned to receive prize money according to the final payout structure.
Purse Overview
- Total purse: $20 million.
- Field: Top 50 eligible FedExCup players.
- Tournament format: 72-hole stroke play.
- Cut: None.
- Official individual payouts: Final amounts depend on finishing positions and ties.
The official 2026 tournament facts page confirms the total purse but does not publish a finalized player-by-player payout table in advance.
BMW Championship 2026 Purse Payouts
A final payout table cannot be completed until the tournament ends because ties alter the amount earned by players.
The 2025 BMW Championship also offered a $20 million purse, and champion Scottie Scheffler earned $3.6 million. Robert MacIntyre received $2.16 million for second place, and Maverick McNealy received $1.36 million for third.
Those figures provide useful context for the scale of the tournament’s prize fund, but the official 2026 payouts should be confirmed after the final round.
Expected Top Payout Structure Based on the Standard Distribution
If the PGA TOUR applies the same standard distribution used for a $20 million purse in recent editions, the top individual amounts would be:
- Winner: $3,600,000.
- Second place: $2,160,000.
- Third place: $1,360,000.
- Fourth place: $990,000.
- Fifth place: $830,000.
- Sixth place: $750,000.
- Seventh place: $695,000.
- Eighth place: $640,000.
- Ninth place: $600,000.
- Tenth place: $560,000.
These figures should be treated as projected amounts until the PGA TOUR publishes or applies the final 2026 distribution.
Ties can change individual checks because prize money for tied finishing positions is combined and divided among the affected players.
BMW Championship 2026 Tournament Preview
The BMW Championship occupies a distinctive place in the PGA TOUR postseason.
By the time players arrive at Bellerive Country Club, the playoff field has already been reduced from 70 players to 50.
After 72 holes, another 20 players will see their FedExCup campaigns end.
That creates two competitions on the same golf course.
The leading players are trying to win one of the PGA TOUR’s richest tournaments and strengthen their position heading into the TOUR Championship.
Players near the top-30 qualification line are fighting simply to keep their seasons alive.
Bellerive Country Club Returns to the Spotlight
Bellerive Country Club is one of the best-known championship venues in the St. Louis area.
The club has hosted significant professional golf tournaments, including major championships and PGA TOUR events.
The 2026 BMW Championship marks the tournament’s return to the St. Louis region and gives Bellerive another opportunity to test an elite professional field.
Course setup details, official yardage, par, and tournament-specific hole information should be confirmed through the PGA TOUR and tournament organizers closer to competition week.
The Importance of the No-Cut Format
The no-cut format changes the competitive dynamics.
Players who struggle during Thursday’s opening round still have three additional rounds to recover.
That matters significantly in the FedExCup Playoffs.
A golfer near 50th place in the standings can potentially climb into the top 30 with a strong weekend.
At the same time, a player entering the tournament comfortably inside the qualification line can fall out after a poor performance.
Every round contributes to the final FedExCup standings.
Scottie Scheffler Returns as Defending Champion
Scottie Scheffler won the 2025 BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club and earned $3.6 million from the $20 million purse.
His victory added another significant title to his PGA TOUR record and positioned him strongly in the FedExCup Playoffs.
The official BMW Championship tournament facts page identifies Scheffler as the defending champion for 2026.
His qualification for the 2026 field still depends on his position in the FedExCup standings after the FedEx St. Jude Championship, as it does for every eligible PGA TOUR player.
The Race for the TOUR Championship
The biggest storyline at Bellerive may develop below the top of the leaderboard.
Only 30 players advance to the TOUR Championship.
Players positioned near the qualification threshold can move several places with one strong round.
Projected FedExCup standings can therefore become as important to viewers as the traditional tournament leaderboard.
Fans following the BMW Championship 2026 Live broadcast should expect regular updates showing which players are projected to advance and which players are in danger of elimination.
Why the BMW Championship Matters
Winning the tournament carries substantial financial and competitive rewards.
The champion receives a major share of the $20 million purse, adds a prestigious PGA TOUR victory, and gains a powerful position heading into the season finale.
The event also supports the Evans Scholars Foundation through its association with the Western Golf Association.
The official tournament facts page identifies the Western Golf Association as the organization conducting the championship and the Evans Scholars Foundation as its charitable beneficiary.
FAQs
When is the BMW Championship 2026?
The 2026 BMW Championship tournament week runs from August 18-23. The four competitive rounds are scheduled for Thursday, August 20, through Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Where is the BMW Championship 2026 being played?
The tournament will be held at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. The venue has previously hosted major professional golf events and returns to the national spotlight as the host of the second FedExCup Playoffs tournament.
How can I watch the BMW Championship 2026 live stream?
Viewers should use official PGA TOUR broadcast partners and authorized streaming platforms. The complete 2026 round-by-round schedule had not been announced at the time of publication, so fans should check PGA TOUR broadcast listings and regional television schedules closer to August.
What TV channel will show the BMW Championship 2026?
The exact 2026 television schedule is still to be confirmed. Recent BMW Championship coverage in the United States has aired on Golf Channel and NBC, with additional digital coverage through PGA TOUR Live on ESPN+. Check the official schedule before tournament week.
How many players compete in the BMW Championship?
The field consists of the top 50 eligible players remaining in the FedExCup Playoffs after the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The tournament has no 36-hole cut.
Who is the defending BMW Championship champion?
Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion. He won the 2025 BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club and collected $3.6 million from the $20 million purse.
What is the BMW Championship 2026 purse?
The official tournament facts page lists a $20 million prize purse for the 2026 BMW Championship.
How much money will the BMW Championship winner receive?
If the standard distribution used for recent $20 million PGA TOUR purses remains unchanged, the champion would receive $3.6 million. The final amount should be confirmed through the official 2026 payout distribution.
Is there a cut at the BMW Championship?
No. The BMW Championship is a no-cut tournament. All 50 players can compete across four rounds unless a player withdraws, is disqualified, or cannot continue.
How many players advance from the BMW Championship to the TOUR Championship?
The top 30 eligible players in the FedExCup standings after the BMW Championship advance to the TOUR Championship. The remaining 20 players are eliminated from the FedExCup Playoffs.
