Ryder Cup FAQs

The Ryder Cup is one of the most eagerly anticipated biennial events in world sport, bringing together the very best golfers from Europe and the United States for a contest like no other. Below, we’ve answered the most popular questions fans ask about the Ryder Cup . From when and where it takes place, to how the teams are formed and where you can follow the latest standings.

The Ryder Cup is a biennial team competition between Europe and the United States, first played in 1927. Unlike most major golf tournaments, which are individual stroke-play events, the Ryder Cup is contested in a match-play format that emphasises strategy, partnerships, and national pride.

What makes the Ryder Cup unique is its atmosphere. There are thousands of passionate fans, players competing not for prize money but for team glory, and moments of drama that live long in golfing history. From Seve Ballesteros’ flair to the “Miracle at Medinah”, the Ryder Cup has delivered some of the most unforgettable sporting stories of all time.

The Ryder Cup is staged every two years, alternating between venues in the USA and Europe. Originally held annually, it shifted to a biennial schedule after World War II. This two-year cycle helps build anticipation, ensuring every Ryder Cup feels like a once-in-a-lifetime sporting occasion.

The next Ryder Cup will be played in 2025, when Team Europe and Team USA meet again for one of golf’s biggest battles.

• Dates: September 2025 (Friday 26th, to Sunday 28th).
• Venue: Bethpage Black Course, Farmingdale, New York.

Golf fans worldwide are already circling their calendars for what promises to be a spectacular contest on one of the toughest and most famous courses in America.

The 2025 Ryder Cup will take place at Bethpage Black, a legendary public course in New York, renowned for its difficulty and for hosting multiple major championships (US Open 2002 & 2009 and the PGA Championship in 2019). Known for its “Warning” sign at the first tee and its demanding layout, Bethpage Black will provide a fitting stage for the passion and intensity of Ryder Cup golf.

This year the Ryder cup will be at Bethpage Black, New York, USA. Followed by:

• 2027 – Adare Manor, County Limerick, Ireland
• 2029 – Hazeltine National Golf Club, Minnesota, USA
• 2031 – Camiral A Quinta do Lago Resort, Girona, Spain

Each Ryder Cup team is made up of 12 players. The selection process differs slightly between Europe and the United States:

• Team Europe: A combination of automatic qualifiers (based on European and World Points lists) plus captain’s picks.
• Team USA: Players qualify through a points system, with the captain also choosing several picks.

Alongside the 12 players, both sides include a captain and several vice-captains, who play a crucial role in pairings, tactics, and motivating their teams.

Team Europe's 12-player lineup for the 2025 Ryder Cup has now been confirmed. Here’s how the team looks:

Automatic Qualifiers (via points list):

• Rory McIlroy (Q)
• Robert MacIntyre (Q)
• Tommy Fleetwood (Q)
• Justin Rose (Q)
• Tyrrell Hatton (Q)

Captain’s Picks (selected by Luke Donald):

• Shane Lowry
• Jon Rahm
• Sepp Straka
• Viktor Hovland
• Ludvig Åberg
• Matt Fitzpatrick

Team USA’s 12-player lineup for the 2025 Ryder Cup has now been confirmed. Here’s how the team looks:

Automatic Qualifiers (via points list):

• Scottie Scheffler (Q)
• J.J. Spaun (Q)
• Xander Schauffele (Q)
• Russell Henley (Q)
• Harris English (Q)
• Bryson DeChambeau (Q)

These six players earned their spots based on consistent performance throughout the qualification period.

Captain’s Picks (selected by Keegan Bradley):

• Justin Thomas
• Collin Morikawa
• Ben Griffin
• Cameron Young
• Patrick Cantlay
• Sam Burns

The official competition usually begins on Friday morning with the opening fourball and foursomes matches. However, the Ryder Cup week kicks off earlier with practice rounds, press conferences, and the opening ceremony on Thursday, making it a full festival of golf from start to finish.

Looking ahead, here’s where future Ryder Cups will be held:

• 2025 – Bethpage Black, New York, USA
• 2027 – Adare Manor, Ireland
• 2029 – Hazeltine National Golf Club, USA
• 2031 - Camiral A Quinta do Lago Resort, Spain

The Ryder Cup has been staged at some of the world’s most iconic courses, including:

• Gleneagles (Scotland) - 2014
• Hazeltine National Golf Club (USA) - 2016
• Le Golf National (France) - 2018
• Whistling Straits (USA) - 2021
• Marco Simone (Italy) - 2023

The Ryder Cup has produced some incredible contests in recent years, with momentum swinging between Europe and the USA.

• 2023 – Team Europe defeated Team USA 16.5 to 11.5 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy.
• 2021 – The USA claimed a record-breaking win, beating Europe 19 to 9 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
• 2018 – Team Europe bounced back on home soil, winning 17.5 to 10.5 at Le Golf National in France.
• 2016 – The USA regained the trophy with a 17 to 11 victory at Hazeltine National in Minnesota.

These recent results highlight just how competitive and unpredictable the Ryder Cup can be, with both teams enjoying memorable victories over the past decade.

Both Team Europe and Team USA use a blend of points-based qualification systems and captain’s picks:

• Automatic spots go to players who perform consistently in key tournaments.
• Captain’s picks allow flexibility for form players, experienced leaders, or Ryder Cup specialists who thrive under pressure.

This balance ensures the teams combine world-class talent with tactical selections designed to maximise success in match play.

The Ryder Cup is broadcast to millions of golf fans around the world, and coverage varies depending on where you are:

• United States – Live coverage is shown on NBC and the Golf Channel, with additional streaming options available through Peacock.
• United Kingdom & Ireland – Exclusive coverage is provided by Sky Sports Golf, with highlights often shown on Sky Sports Main Event and select free-to-air coverage on the BBC.
• Europe – Many European broadcasters carry Ryder Cup coverage, often via subscription sports networks such as Canal+ (France), Movistar+ (Spain), and DAZN (Germany).
• Rest of the World – Coverage rights differ by region, but broadcasters in Asia, Australia, South Africa, and Latin America typically carry live or delayed broadcasts of the matches.

In addition, the official Ryder Cup website and app provide live scoring, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content, making it easy to follow every shot wherever you are.

And of course, the best way to experience the Ryder Cup is to be there in person. With Golfbreaks official Ryder Cup packages, you can watch the drama unfold live, soak up the electric atmosphere, and be part of golf’s greatest team event.