The 2026 Masters Tournament: Dates, Schedule, History, and Fascinating Facts

Augusta National Opens Its Gates Again for One of Golf's Greatest Traditions

The Masters Tournament returns to Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, for its 90th edition in 2026. The tournament is scheduled to run from April 9 through April 12, 2026, with practice rounds beginning as early as April 6. The Par-3 Contest, a beloved tradition in its own right, is set for April 8, the Wednesday before the main event begins. For golf fans across the country, this annual spring ritual is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year.

Augusta National Golf Club plays as a par-72 layout measuring approximately 7,545 yards. The course has been refined and lengthened over the decades to keep pace with advances in equipment and athleticism, yet it retains the timeless beauty and strategic challenge that have made it famous the world over. Blooming azaleas, towering pines, and immaculate fairways greet competitors and patrons alike each spring.

A Look at the 2026 Tournament Schedule

The official schedule for the 2026 Masters unfolds across several days of competition and tradition. Practice rounds are open to patrons on Monday, April 6, and Tuesday, April 7, giving fans a chance to watch their favorite players prepare. The Par-3 Contest on Wednesday, April 8, is a fan favorite, with players often joined by family members as caddies in a lighthearted atmosphere before the serious competition begins.

• Monday, April 6 – Practice Round
• Tuesday, April 7 – Practice Round
• Wednesday, April 8 – Par-3 Contest
• Thursday, April 9 – First Round
• Friday, April 10 – Second Round
• Saturday, April 11 – Third Round
• Sunday, April 12 – Final Round and Green Jacket Ceremony

Television coverage is handled by ESPN for the early rounds and CBS for the weekend rounds, with extensive streaming available through Masters.com. The network coverage typically begins with featured group streaming in the mornings and transitions to full broadcast coverage in the afternoons.

The Rich History Behind the Masters

The Masters was founded by golf legend Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts. The inaugural tournament was held in 1934, making 2026 the 90th playing of the event. Jones, who had retired from competitive golf in 1930 after completing the Grand Slam, envisioned a tournament that would bring together the world's best players in a setting worthy of the game's finest traditions.

Augusta National Golf Club itself was designed by Jones and renowned golf architect Alister MacKenzie, whose vision was to create a course that rewarded strategic thinking over brute power. MacKenzie passed away in January 1934, just weeks before the first Masters was played, and never witnessed the legacy his design would create. The course has since been adjusted under the guidance of various architects over the decades, but the fundamental character MacKenzie and Jones established remains intact.

The tournament was not held from 1943 through 1945 due to World War II, during which Augusta National was used to raise cattle and turkeys as part of the war effort. That wartime interruption is the only gap in the Masters' otherwise unbroken history.

Champions and Records That Define the Tournament

Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most Masters titles, having claimed the Green Jacket six times across a career spanning from 1963 to 1986. Tiger Woods is the only other player to win the Masters five times, with victories in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, and a remarkable comeback win in 2019. Woods' 1997 victory stands as one of the most dominant performances in Masters history, as he finished 18 under par and won by 12 strokes, the largest margin of victory in tournament history at the time.

• Jack Nicklaus – 6 Masters titles (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986)
• Tiger Woods – 5 Masters titles (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019)
• Arnold Palmer – 4 Masters titles (1958, 1960, 1962, 1964)
• Sam Snead – 3 Masters titles (1949, 1952, 1954)
• Gary Player – 3 Masters titles (1961, 1974, 1978)
• Nick Faldo – 3 Masters titles (1989, 1990, 1996)
• Phil Mickelson – 3 Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2010)

Scottie Scheffler captured the 2025 Masters title, making him the defending champion heading into the 2026 event. Scheffler, who has been the world's top-ranked player, will receive the ceremonial first tee honor as the reigning champion.

Traditions That Make the Masters Unique

No sporting event in the United States is quite as steeped in tradition as the Masters. Among the most iconic customs is the Green Jacket ceremony, in which the previous year's champion helps the new champion into the famous green jacket in Butler Cabin before a nationwide television audience. The jacket, first introduced in 1949, is kept at Augusta National and may only be worn off the grounds by the reigning champion during his title year.

The Champions Dinner, held on the Tuesday evening before the tournament begins, is another cherished ritual. The defending champion selects the menu for the dinner, which is attended exclusively by past Masters champions. Over the years, players have chosen menus reflecting their home countries and personal tastes, creating a private tradition that the wider public only glimpses through occasional reports.

Amen Corner, the stretch of holes 11, 12, and 13, is perhaps the most famous section of any golf course in the world. The name was coined by golf writer Herbert Warren Wind in 1958, and the stretch has been the site of countless dramatic moments that have decided Masters championships. The par-3 12th hole, playing over Rae's Creek to a narrow green, is considered one of the most treacherous short holes in major championship golf.

What to Expect in 2026

The 2026 Masters field will be determined by Augusta National's invitation criteria, which include winners of other major championships, top finishers from the previous Masters, and players ranked among the top 50 in the world rankings at the end of 2025. The field is typically limited to around 90 to 100 players, making it one of the most exclusive fields in professional golf.

Tickets for the Masters, known as 'badges' by the club, are famously difficult to obtain. Annual badge holders have passed them down through families for generations, and the waiting list for new badges was closed decades ago. Single-day practice round tickets are occasionally made available through a public lottery, giving enthusiastic fans a limited opportunity to experience Augusta National in person.