Solheim Cup 2026 Format: Foursomes, Four-Ball and Singles
By Staff Writer
3 min read
LoopGolf
Key takeaways
- The 2026 Solheim Cup awards 28 points across three days of match play between the U.S. and Europe.
- The U.S. needs 14 points to retain the cup as defending champion; Europe needs 14.5 to reclaim it.
- Friday and Saturday each carry eight points: four foursomes matches in the morning, four four-ball matches in the afternoon.
- Sunday's 12 singles matches decide the final 12 points, with every player on each team guaranteed to compete.
The 2026 Solheim Cup, the 20th edition of the biennial match play event between the United States and Europe, is being played at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, the first time the competition has been held in the country. Twelve players per side will contest three days of match play across 28 total points.
How does Solheim Cup scoring work?
Each of the 28 matches is worth one point to the winning team, with both sides splitting the point if a match is tied after 18 holes. As the defending champion, the United States needs to collect just 14 points to retain the cup, since a tie in the overall points race keeps the trophy with the reigning winner. Europe, which lost the cup in 2024, needs 14.5 points to take it back.
What happens in the foursomes sessions?
Foursomes, also called alternate shot, pairs two players per side sharing a single ball. One partner tees off on odd-numbered holes and the other on even-numbered holes, and the pair alternates shots from there until the ball is holed. Eight of each team's 12 players compete in every foursomes session, with the other four sitting out. In 2026, foursomes matches are scheduled for the mornings of both Friday and Saturday.
How is four-ball different from foursomes?
Four-ball, sometimes called better ball, also sends out pairs of two, but each player plays their own ball throughout the hole. The lower of the two individual scores on a team counts as that side's result for the hole. As with foursomes, eight players per team play each four-ball session while four sit out. Four-ball matches follow foursomes in the afternoon on both Friday and Saturday.
How does the Sunday singles session work?
All 12 players on each team compete in singles, the only session in which every golfer is guaranteed to play. Each captain sets her own lineup order without knowing the other captain's order in advance; once both lists are revealed, the first name on Europe's card faces the first name on the United States' card, and so on down the list.
| Day | Sessions | Matches | Points available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Foursomes (AM), Four-ball (PM) | 8 | 8 |
| Saturday | Foursomes (AM), Four-ball (PM) | 8 | 8 |
| Sunday | Singles | 12 | 12 |
The U.S. needs only a tie in the points race to keep the cup; Europe needs the outright majority to take it back.
Frequently asked questions
How many points does it take to win the 2026 Solheim Cup?
Europe needs 14.5 of the 28 available points to reclaim the cup. The United States, as the defending champion, needs only 14 points to retain it.
What is the difference between foursomes and four-ball?
In foursomes, two players share one ball and alternate shots. In four-ball, both players on a team play their own ball and the lower score counts for the team.
How many matches are played at the Solheim Cup?
There are 28 matches in total: 16 foursomes and four-ball matches across Friday and Saturday, plus 12 singles matches on Sunday.
Where is the 2026 Solheim Cup being played?
The 2026 Solheim Cup is at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, the first time the event has been held in that country.
Can a Solheim Cup match end before the 18th hole?
Yes. If a team's lead is larger than the number of holes remaining, the match is over immediately since the result can no longer change.
- solheim cup
- solheim cup format
- match play
- foursomes
- four-ball
- team usa
- team europe
- bernardus golf
