The Masters 2026 is here as Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are among those in contention for the title in Augusta, with the world’s best golfers set to battle it out
The Masters 2026 tees off this week as the sport’s biggest stars battle it out in the first major championship of the year. Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are among the frontrunners to claim victory at Augusta National in Georgia.
Over four days, the two rivals will compete against a field of 92 players, including Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose — the latter of whom endured a heartbreaking play-off defeat to McIlroy in 2025. A number of LIV Golf League players are also set to feature, among them Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
The tournament will see McIlroy defend his title for the first time following his triumph in last year’s edition. The Northern Irishman and world number two completed his first career Grand Slam at the 2025 Masters and could become the first golfer since Tiger Woods to win back-to-back titles should he triumph once more.
To achieve that feat, he must again outshine world number one Scheffler. The American will be eager to claim the coveted Green Jacket for a remarkable third time in five years, having finished fourth in 2025.
With the opening tee shot at The Masters 2026 now just hours away, here is everything you need to know to follow the action.
When does The Masters 2026 start
Fans can enjoy three days of pre-Masters coverage from Monday, April 6, including three practice days plus the Masters Par-3 contest on Wednesday, April 8. The Masters 2026 then officially kicks off on Thursday, with coverage of the opening round starting at 2pm BST.
Coverage is scheduled for a later 4.30pm start for the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.
Watch The Masters with Sky’s Ultimate TV bundle
Coverage of The Masters gets underway on April 6 and golf fans can watch it live with Sky’s Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle. This includes 135 channels, nine from Sky Sports, plus HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu.
How to watch The Masters 2026
The Masters is being broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports Golf in the UK, and there are several ways fans can tune in. For those without an existing Sky subscription, the provider is offering discounted sports packages, including the £44 Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle, which now incorporates HBO Max, Disney+ and Netflix.
For £44 per month, subscribers also get 135 channels including Sky Atlantic, along with discovery+ and Hayu subscriptions. There is also the more budget-friendly £35 Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, which comes with Netflix and approximately 100 channels.
Existing Sky customers can add Sky Sports to their package for an introductory price of £20. All of the above options provide full Sky Sports coverage across nine channels, including Premier League, Golf, F1 and Main Event.
Elsewhere, Virgin Media carries Sky Sports channels through its rival Sport bundle. At £52.99 per month this is considerably pricier than Sky’s offering, though it also includes considerably more, with 200 channels, nine from Sky Sports, plus Netflix and 516Mbps fibre broadband.
The higher-end Max Volt bundle is priced at £76.99 and offers more than 230 channels, including both Sky Sports and Sky Cinema, along with Netflix and ultra-fast 1,130Mbps fibre broadband. It also includes an O2 SIM card with unlimited data, minutes and texts.
One important consideration with both deals is that Sky and Virgin will introduce price hikes during the 24-month contracts. Sky merely states that prices ‘may change’ throughout the minimum term, while Virgin has confirmed a £4 rise from April 2027.
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