Updated on November 9, 2026
The Ryder Cup Every two years, it pits the 12 best golfers from Europe and the United States against each other in match play. The next edition—the centennial tournament—will be held in Adare Manor, Ireland, September 17–19, 2027. Europe, the champion in 2023 and 2025, is defending its title. Here’s the format, the history, the list of champions, the records, and everything you need to know to get there.
How is the Ryder Cup played?
The Ryder Cup is played in match play Over three days, from Friday through Sunday: each match earns the winning team one point, and each team receives half a point in the event of a tie. There are 28 matches in all.
Two players per team play one ball, taking turns. Four matches per day. See the definition of foursomes.
Each player plays their own ball, and the better score of the pair counts on each hole. Four matches per day.
Each player faces off against an opponent one-on-one. That's often where it all comes down to.
Each team has 12 players: 6 who qualify based on a points-based ranking, and 6 chosen by the captain. All game formats are explained in our guide to golf formats.
The History of the Ryder Cup
The trophy was donated by Samuel Ryder, an English seed merchant and amateur golfer. The first official tournament was held in 1927 at the Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts: the United States defeated Great Britain 9½ to 2½. The British team became “Great Britain and Ireland” in 1973, then Europe in 1979, when players from continental Europe can finally be selected. The first ones are the Spaniards Seve Ballesteros and Antonio Garrido.
Since then, the balance of power has shifted: the United States has a total of 27 wins, compared with 16 for Great Britain, followed by Europe, and 2 ties. But since 1979, Europe has led 13–9, with one tie in 1989.
Ryder Cup Results Since 1979
| Year | Location | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bethpage Black, Farmingdale (New York, USA) | Europe | 15-13 |
| 2023 | Marco Simone, Guidonia Montecelio (Rome, Italy) | Europe | 16½-11½ |
| 2021 | Whistling Straits, Haven (Wisconsin, USA) — 2020 event postponed | United States | 19-9 |
| 2018 | Le Golf National, Guyancourt (France) | Europe | 17½-10½ |
| 2016 | Hazeltine National, Chaska (Minnesota, USA) | United States | 17-11 |
| 2014 | Gleneagles (Scotland) | Europe | 16½-11½ |
| 2012 | Medinah Country Club (Illinois, USA) | Europe | 14½-13½ |
| 2010 | Celtic Manor, Newport (Wales) | Europe | 14½-13½ |
| 2008 | Valhalla, Louisville (Kentucky, USA) | United States | 16½-11½ |
| 2006 | The K Club, County Kildare (Ireland) | Europe | 18½-9½ |
| 2004 | Oakland Hills (Michigan, USA) | Europe | 18½-9½ |
| 2002 | The Belfry (England) — 2001 edition postponed | Europe | 15½-12½ |
| 1999 | The Country Club, Brookline (Massachusetts, USA) | United States | 14½-13½ |
| 1997 | Valderrama (Andalusia, Spain) | Europe | 14½-13½ |
| 1995 | Oak Hill (New York, USA) | Europe | 14½-13½ |
| 1993 | The Belfry (England) | United States | 15-13 |
| 1991 | Kiawah Island (South Carolina, USA) | United States | 14½-13½ |
| 1989 | The Belfry (England) | Tie — Europe retains the cup | 14-14 |
| 1987 | Muirfield Village, Dublin (Ohio, USA) | Europe | 15-13 |
| 1985 | The Belfry (England) | Europe | 16½-11½ |
| 1983 | PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens (Florida, USA) | United States | 14½-13½ |
| 1981 | Walton Heath (Surrey, England) | United States | 18½-9½ |
| 1979 | The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs (West Virginia, USA) | United States | 17-11 |
The 2001 and 2020 tournaments were postponed by one year. With a 14–14 tie in 1989, defending champion Europe retained the cup. Source: Ryder Cup official website, ESPN, and Golf Monthly.
Records and Memorable Moments
The all-time leading scorer, ahead of Nick Faldo (25 points). See Sergio García’s profile.
From 1995 to 2018. On the European side, Nick Faldo and Lee Westwood have 11 each. See Phil Mickelson’s profile.
The best pair in history: Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal.
Trailing 10-6 heading into the singles, the Americans won 14½ to 13½ thanks to Justin Leonard's long putt.
Europe was also down 10-6, but picked up 8½ points on Sunday to win 14½ to 13½. Martin Kaymer sank the decisive putt.
Europe beat the United States 17½ to 10½ at Le Golf National, near Paris. Five years later, in Rome, it was Tommy Fleetwood who secured the winning point.
The 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor
The 46th Ryder Cup is being held in Adare Manor, an estate with a castle in the village of Adare (County Limerick), 100 years after the first tournament. This is the second Ryder Cup to be held in Ireland, following the one at the K Club in 2006. Practice rounds will take place on Tuesday, September 14, and Wednesday, September 15; the opening ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 16; and the matches will be played on Friday, September 17, through Sunday, September 19, 2027.
The captains have been announced: Luke Donald is serving a third term representing Europe, following Rome and Bethpage, and Jim Furyk returns to the U.S. team following the 2018 loss at Le Golf National. For Europe, the qualification period runs from the British Masters (late August 2026) through August 22, 2027; the two captains will announce their six selections the week of August 30, 2027. In 2025, Europe’s lineup included, notably, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Ludvig Åberg, the United States Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau.
2027 Ryder Cup Tickets: Prices and Availability
From Friday through Sunday, the official price is nearly double the €260 charged in Rome in 2023.
Practice days on Tuesday and Wednesday; €179 on Thursday, the day of the opening ceremony. Under 16: €20 to €30.
The all-week pass. “The Green” section: €899 per match day.
General admission tickets are sold out. After a sale reserved for Irish residents in April 2026 and a worldwide ballot in June 2026, demand was 12 times higher than supply. What remains are the Official packages with lodging (hotel, cruise ship docked in the Shannon Estuary, glamping near the 13th hole) and the hospitality packages, listed on the official ticketing page.
Important note regarding resale: Tickets may not be resold, and Ryder Cup Europe reserves the right to cancel any tickets purchased through resale platforms. We have not found any official ticket exchange.
How do you get to Adare Manor, and where can you stay?
Adare is about 15 to 20 minutes from Limerick (15 to 19 km) and 25 to 30 minutes fromShannon Airport. The organizers also mention the airports in Dublin, Cork, and Kerry. There is no parking on site: You’ll need to reserve a paid park-and-ride spot, or take the train to Limerick Junction and then take the shuttle train, or take the bus from the Limerick train station. About 250,000 spectators are expected over the course of the week: book early—one in ten hotel rooms in Ireland was already booked for these dates.
The Upcoming Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup
- 2029: Hazeltine National, Chaska (Minnesota, United States), late September 2029.
- 2031: Camiral Golf & Wellness, in Catalonia (Spain).
- The Solheim Cup, the women's equivalent, was won by Europe in September 2026 in the Netherlands (15–13). The next one will be held in 2028 in Valhalla, Kentucky.
To learn more: the Definition of the Ryder Cup in our glossary, our ranking of the most prestigious golf tournaments and our guide to Masters tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ryder Cup
When and where will the next Ryder Cup be held?
The 46th Ryder Cup will be held at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland, from Friday, September 17, through Sunday, September 19, 2027. Practice rounds will take place on September 14 and 15, and the opening ceremony will be held on September 16.
How does the Ryder Cup work?
Two teams of 12 players—Europe and the United States—face off in a three-day match-play tournament: foursomes and four-ball on Friday and Saturday, and 12 singles matches on Sunday. Each match is worth one point; a team needs 14.5 out of 28 to win, and if the score is 14–14, the defending champion retains the cup.
Who won the 2025 Ryder Cup?
Europe won 15–13 at Bethpage Black (New York), with Luke Donald serving as captain. The team had previously won in Rome in 2023, 16½–11½.
How much does a ticket to the 2027 Ryder Cup cost?
€499 per match day from Friday through Sunday, starting at €89 for practice sessions and €179 for Thursday. General admission tickets are sold out: only the official packages that include lodging and hospitality are still available.
Who has the most points in the Ryder Cup?
Sergio García, with 28½ points for Europe, ahead of Nick Faldo (25 points). Phil Mickelson holds the record for most appearances, with 12 Ryder Cups.