Updated on November 9, 2026
The Solheim Cup is the women’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup: Every two years, the top 12 female golfers from Europe face off against the top 12 from the United States in match play. Europe won it in September 2026 in the Netherlands, 15–13; the next edition takes place at Valhalla, Kentucky, September 8–10, 2028. Format, history, list of winners, records, and French participants: everything you need to know.
How is the Solheim Cup played?
Like the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup is played in match play over three days: each win is worth one point, and a tie is worth half a point for each team. Since 2002, there have been 28 matches.
Two players per team take turns hitting a single ball. There are 8 matches in total. See the definition of foursomes.
Each player hits her own ball, and the better score of the pair counts on each hole. There are 8 matches in total.
Each player faces off against an opponent one-on-one. That's where it all came down to in 2026.
Each team has 12 players. In 2026, Europe qualified 2 players based on the Ladies European Tour rankings and 6 based on the world rankings, plus 4 captain’s picks; the United States qualified 7 players based on the LPGA rankings and 2 based on the world rankings, plus 3 captain’s picks.
The History of the Solheim Cup
The Solheim Cup was created in 1990 on the initiative of Karsten Solheim, the founder of the PING golf club brand. The first edition was played at Lake Nona, in Orlando: the United States won 11½ to 4½. It was held in even-numbered years until 2002, then in odd-numbered years from 2003, after the Ryder Cup was postponed following September 11; it returned to even-numbered years in 2024. Hence two consecutive editions in 2023 and 2024.
Solheim Cup Winners Since 1990
| Year | Location | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Bernardus Golf, Cromvoirt (Netherlands) | Europe | 15–13 |
| 2024 | Robert Trent Jones GC, Gainesville (Virginia, USA) | United States | 15½–12½ |
| 2023 | Finca Cortesín, Casares/Málaga (Spain) | Tie (Europe retains the trophy) | 14–14 |
| 2021 | Inverness Club, Toledo (Ohio, USA) | Europe | 15–13 |
| 2019 | Gleneagles, PGA Centenary Course (Scotland) | Europe | 14½–13½ |
| 2017 | Des Moines G&CC (Iowa, USA) | United States | 16½–11½ |
| 2015 | St. Leon-Rot Golf Club (Germany) | United States | 14½–13½ |
| 2013 | Colorado Golf Club, Parker (Colorado, USA) | Europe | 18–10 |
| 2011 | Killeen Castle, County Meath (Ireland) | Europe | 15–13 |
| 2009 | Rich Harvest Farms (Illinois, USA) | United States | 16–12 |
| 2007 | Halmstad GC, Tylösand (Sweden) | United States | 16–12 |
| 2005 | Crooked Stick GC, Carmel (Indiana, USA) | United States | 15½–12½ |
| 2003 | Barsebäck G&CC (Sweden) | Europe | 17½–10½ |
| 2002 | Interlachen CC, Edina (Minnesota, USA) | United States | 15½–12½ |
| 2000 | Loch Lomond GC, Luss (Scotland) | Europe | 14½–11½ |
| 1998 | Muirfield Village GC, Dublin (Ohio, USA) | United States | 16–12 |
| 1996 | St. Pierre G&CC, Chepstow (Wales) | United States | 17–11 |
| 1994 | The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs (West Virginia, USA) | United States | 13–7 |
| 1992 | Dalmahoy CC, Edinburgh (Scotland) | Europe | 11½–6½ |
| 1990 | Lake Nona G&CC, Orlando (Florida, USA) | United States | 11½–4½ |
Record: United States 11 wins, Europe 8, one tie (in 2023, defending champion Europe retained the trophy). Largest margin of victory: Europe 18–10 in 2013.
Records and Memorable Moments
Records for appearances (12, from 1990 to 2011), matches (46) and points. See Laura Davies’s profile.
The youngest player in history, in 2013. The oldest: Juli Inkster, aged 51, in 2011. See Charley Hull’s profile.
Sweden's Caroline Hedwall won all five of her matches—the best individual performance in history—and Europe won 18–10.
Despite captain Catriona Matthew's controversial selection, Suzann Pettersen sank the winning putt on the 18th green at Gleneagles, then announced her retirement.
Spain’s Carlota Ciganda secured the point that retained the trophy in 2023, then the one that sealed victory in 2026.
Trailing by 4 holes after 11 holes, the American defeated Esther Henseleit 1 up: the greatest comeback in the history of the tournament.
The French Women at the Solheim Cup
Seven French women have competed in the Solheim Cup: Marie-Laure de Lorenzi, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc, Karine Icher, Ludivine Kreutz, Gwladys Nocera, Céline Boutier and Nastasia Nadaud. Céline Boutier holds the French record with five appearances (2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2026), and won her first two competitions. In 2026, the rising star is Nastasia Nadaud: Selected by the captain for her first national team appearance at age 21, she scored 3 points, including a singles victory over Andrea Lee.
The 2026 Solheim Cup in the Netherlands
The 2026 event took place from September 11 to 13 in Bernardus Golf, in Cromvoirt, the Netherlands, between the European team captained byAnna Nordqvist and the United States team captained byAngela Stanford. Level at 8-8 before the singles, Europe won Sunday 7-5: Lottie Woad’s point took Europe to 14½, and Carlota Ciganda sealed the 15-13 victory by beating Jennifer Kupcho. Linn Grant and Alison Lee were the top scorers, with 4 points each. Nelly Korda was a member of the U.S. team.
2028 Solheim Cup at Valhalla: Dates and Tickets
The next Solheim Cup will be held at the Valhalla Golf Club, in Louisville, Kentucky, September 8–10, 2028, with the event week beginning on the 6th. Tickets have been on sale since September 14, 2026, though no official prices had been announced as of this update; admission is free for those 17 and under. As a point of reference, general admission started at €118.75 per day in the Netherlands in 2026. The 2028 captains had not yet been named as of November 2026.
To learn more: our Ryder Cup Guide, our ranking of the the most prestigious golf tournaments and the profiles of Céline Boutier and Nelly Korda.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Solheim Cup
What is the Solheim Cup?
It is the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup: the 12 best female golfers in Europe face off against the 12 best from the United States in match play over three days. It was created in 1990 by Karsten Solheim, the founder of the PING brand.
Who won the 2026 Solheim Cup?
Europe, 15–13 at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, captained by Anna Nordqvist. Lottie Woad’s point took Europe to 14½ and Carlota Ciganda sealed the win.
Where and when will the next Solheim Cup be held?
At Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky, September 8–10, 2028. Tickets have been on sale since September 2026.
How many points does it take to win the Solheim Cup?
There are 28 points at stake: 14½ are needed to win. At 14-14, the defending team keeps the trophy, as Europe did in 2023.
Which French women have played in the Solheim Cup?
Seven French women: Marie-Laure de Lorenzi, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc, Karine Icher, Ludivine Kreutz, Gwladys Nocera, Céline Boutier (French record holder with 5 appearances), and Nastasia Nadaud, the breakout star of the 2026 edition.