The Ryder Cup will return to Ireland in 2026 when Adare Manor hosts the biennial contest between Europe and the United States for the first time.
Ryder Cup Europe announced that the five-star resort in County Limerick will follow in the footsteps of Whistling Straits in Wisconsin (2020), Marco Simone in Italy (2022), and Bethpage Black in New York (2024) as the venue for the biannual matches between USA and Europe.
It means the Ryder Cup will be staged in Ireland for the second time, 20 years after the K Club hosted the 2006 contest, when Europe, under the captaincy of Ian Woosnam, memorably defeated the United States by a record margin of 18½ – 9½.
Guy Kinnings, European Ryder Cup Director, said: “We are delighted to announce the 2026 Ryder Cup will be staged in Ireland at Adare Manor, which is a world-class venue, both in terms of the golf course and the wider resort facilities. Today’s announcement would not have been possible without the support of An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Irish Government. Months of careful negotiation behind the scenes have seen us arrive at this point, and we could not be happier to be able to take golf’s greatest team contest back to Ireland.”
He added: “Equally in receipt of our appreciation are Adare Manor owners JP and Noreen McManus and their entire team at the magnificent County Limerick venue. JP has shown unwavering support for golf and the European Tour over many years and we are delighted that Adare Manor will be the venue to showcase the next chapter in Ireland’s Ryder Cup story in seven years’ time.
“Aside from having provided three captains over the past four editions, in addition to world-class talent such as Rory McIlroy, Irish players such as the late Christy O’Connor Jnr, Philip Walton, Eamonn Darcy, Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley are intrinsically linked with providing Europe’s winning moments over the years. Added to that the fact that Irish golf fans are rightly recognised as some of the most knowledgeable and passionate in the world, as was shown during Shane Lowry’s emotional Open Championship triumph at Royal Portrush on Sunday, there was no question in our minds that the time was right.”
JP McManus, owner of Adare Manor, said: “I am delighted that the prestigious Ryder Cup will return to Ireland. We were very happy that Adare Manor was chosen as the venue for this world-renowned tournament in 2026 and we look forward to welcoming our worldwide visitors. It is a wonderful tribute to the many great Irish golf ambassadors and success stories Ireland has had in golf over the years and a nice follow on from Shane Lowry’s momentous Open win in Portrush.
“I am confident that the people of Ireland will get behind the Ryder Cup and take the opportunity to showcase Ireland on the world stage, and ensure that the 2026 Ryder Cup will be an outstanding success. I hope the many tourist, golfing and business organisations will work together to identify all the opportunities for the benefit of The Ryder Cup, the Irish economy and across the south west community.”
Adare Manor, which was extensively renovated two years ago, hosted the Irish Open in 2007, a tournament won by Padraig Harrington two months before he went on to clinch the first of his two successive Open Championship titles at Carnoustie. The Irish Open was staged again at Adare Manor the following year, when Englishman Richard Finch triumphed. The venue has also hosted the JP McManus Pro-Am in 2005 and 2010, and is scheduled to do so again next July, with confirmed participants already including Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose and Tiger Woods.