This year marked many substantial changes for the LPGA. While celebrating its 75th anniversary, they elected a new commissioner in May of 2025, Craig Kessler. After outlining his four pillars for success, fans will be happy to hear he is following through ahead of the 2026 season. With goals of trust, visibility, building fans, and a strong financial future, Kessler has successful secured a new deal. One that is sure to impact each one of his objectives.
Recently, the LPGA tour announced that for 2026, all LPGA North American tournaments will be shown on live TV. Thanks to deals with FM, Trackman, and Golf Channel, the LPGA events will air on CNBC and Golf Channel. Alongside this change, the events will feature upgraded technology to improve the viewing experience.
These updates are part of an ongoing trend across athletics to build support and viewership of women’s sports. Although equal broadcast TV time still needs improvement, this is another step in the right direction, especially for women’s golf.
Improving Visibility
This isn’t the first time the LPGA has made steps to increase their fanbase. Most recently, the Annika featured notable women in both sports and social media as a way to increase viewers. With WNBA stars like Caitlin Clark participating in the pro-am and social media sensation Kai Trump receiving a sponsor invitation, new fans flocked to watch the Annika this November.
In a press release from the LPGA and their new partners, Malcolm Roberts, chairman and chief executive officer of FM said,
“We are proud to take our partnership with the LPGA to an even higher level by supporting the transformation of the LPGA Tour’s broadcast, athlete and fan experience for the 2026 season and beyond.”
He added, “This collaboration with the LPGA and investment in state-of-the-art technology and equipment is right in line with FM’s belief in innovation and progress.”
Roberts went on to say, “We believe in our trusted partners at the LPGA. We are excited to significantly expand our support for women’s golf, driving progress further than ever before.”
Technological Advancements
Alongside the increase in broadcast coverage, the LPGA will see a huge improvement in the technology used to cover the sport. According to the LPGA, there will be a 50% increase in the total number of cameras compared to the 2025 season. This will offer expanded hole and shot coverage. This increase includes the addition of slow-motion cameras to capture real and raw emotions as they are happening.
The LPGA also reported three times as many microphones as compared to the 2025 season. Along with increased drone coverage to highlight courses and capture players in the moment. All of these additions aim to improve content and production of individual athletes. This will allow viewers to connect with and root for golfers during play. Another important aspect of Kessler’s plans.
Thanks to the added technology, the partnership with Trackman, and investments from FM, the LPGA’s shot-tracing capabilities will reportedly quadruple in 2026 compared to the 2025 season.
In the same press release, Klaus Eldrup-Jørgensen, co-founder and CEO of Trackman said,
“We are thrilled to further our investment into the LPGA and work to elevate the viewership experience. Adding more Trackman technology to the LPGA telecast is a key element of our objective of elevating the women’s game and helping the world get even more inspired from the world’s best golfers. As we look to the future of this partnership, Trackman and the LPGA have the shared goals of creating exciting content that entertains and educates fans at home while providing additional resources for athletes on the course.”
Overall, these kinds of deals exemplify the necessary changes that need to happen throughout women’s sports. Kessler’s four pillars for the LPGA are a strong foundation. With support from Trackman, Golf Channel, and FM, hopefully they will only continue to build up women’s sports.
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