When does the Masters start? Here's what to know ahead of golf's signature major
Apr 06, 2026
Another new green jacket is ready to be put on.
The Masters, considered to be golf’s signature tournament, will tee off this week at the iconic Augusta National.
Past champions, including newest winner Rory McIlroy, will don their iconic green jackets at Augusta throughout the week. After fo
ur rounds of golf, Sunday will end with last year’s winner helping to place a new jacket on this year’s champion, officially inducting the newest member into one of golf’s most exclusive clubs.
When does the action begin? Who might that new champion be? Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Masters.
When does the Masters start in 2026?
The 2026 Masters will begin on Thursday, April 9, with honorary starters teeing off at 7:30 a.m. ET. Action continues with the second round Friday, third round Saturday and final round Sunday, April 12.
Where is the Masters?
The Masters is held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. The famed course — at roughly 7,500 yards — is a par 72.
What is the Masters 2026 TV schedule?
Here is the TV and streaming schedule for the 2026 Masters tournament:
Thursday (first round)
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET, Prime Video
3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Streaming on Masters.com and the Masters App
Friday (second round)
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET, Prime Video
3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Streaming on Masters.com and the Masters App
Saturday (third round)
12 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET, Paramount+
2 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
Streaming on Masters.com and the Masters App
Sunday (final round)
12 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET, Paramount+
2 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
Streaming on Masters.com and the Masters App
Is Tiger Woods playing in the Masters?
Tiger Woods will not be playing in the 2026 Masters.
He was already questionable as he recovers from multiple injuries, but his March 27 rollover car crash and subsequent DUI arrest officially ruled him out.
Woods, a five-time winner at Augusta, also missed last year after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon.
As a former winner, Woods has a lifetime invitation to play in the tournament every year. He won his first green jacket in 1997 at 21 years old, and has never missed the Masters cut in 24 starts as a professional. In his last appearance in 2024, he finished 16-over 304, the highest 72-hole score of his career.
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Who is playing in the Masters?
Here is the full list of 91 players competing in the 2026 Masters.
Who won the 2025 Masters?
Rory McIlroy won his first green jacket with a victory in the 2025 Masters, defeating Justin Rose in a playoff to become the sixth player with a career grand slam. It was his fifth career major win, but his first since 2014.
How do you qualify for the Masters?
The Masters is by invitation only, meaning there are no qualifying tournaments. In order to qualify for invitation, players must meet one of the following 26 criteria, with occasional exceptions, per the Masters website.
Masters Tournament Champions (Lifetime)
U.S. Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
The Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
PGA Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
Winners of the Players Championship (Three years)
Current Olympic Gold Medalist (One Year)
Current U.S. Amateur Champion (7-A) (Honorary, non-competing after one year) and the Runner-up (7-B) to the current U.S. Amateur Champion
Current The Amateur Champion (Honorary, non-competing after one year)
Current Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion (One year)
Current Latin America Amateur Champion (One year)
Current U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion (One year)
Current NCAA Division I Men’s Individual Champion (One year)
The first 12 players, including ties, in the previous year’s Masters Tournament
The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s U.S. Open
The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s The Open Championship
The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s PGA Championship
Individual winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation applied to the season-ending Tour Championship
Those qualifying and eligible for the previous year’s season-ending Tour Championship
Current Scottish Open Champion (One year)
Current Spanish Open Champion (One year)
Current Japan Open Champion (One year)
Current Hong Kong Open Champion (One year)
Current Australian Open Champion (One year)
Current South African Open Champion (One year)
The 50 leaders on the final Official World Golf Ranking for the previous calendar year
The 50 leaders on the final Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the current Masters Tournament
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