The AIG Women's Open 2026: What we learned at Royal Lytham & St Annes

The 50th edition of the AIG Women's Open delivered everything you could ask for. A dramatic playoff, record crowds, a historic milestone, and another unforgettable chapter for women's golf.

But beyond Shiho Kuwaki's maiden major victory, this year's championship showed just how far the event has come. From record attendance to incredible fan experiences, the AIG Women's Open continues to establish itself as one of the biggest and best sporting events on the calendar.

Here are our biggest takeaways from Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The numbers speak for themselves.

More than 55,000 spectators attended across the championship week, making it the highest-attended AIG Women's Open since AIG became title sponsor in 2019. That's an increase of 8,000 fans compared to last year's championship at Royal Porthcawl.

Perhaps even more encouraging was the number of young fans. 4,500 children under the age of 16 attended completely free of charge, highlighting the tournament's commitment to making golf accessible for the next generation.

The growth wasn't limited to the course either. TV viewing figures increased by 18.4%, digital viewing jumped by an incredible 181%, and social engagement continues to climb year after year. Women's golf has momentum, and it's only getting stronger.

One thing that stood out all week was just how much the championship offers spectators.

The AIG Women's Open offers an incredibly affordable way to experience world-class championship golf. You still get to watch the very best players in the world competing for one of the game's biggest prizes, but at a fraction of the cost.

The value extends well beyond the ticket price too.

Unlike many major sporting events, the AIG Women's Open provides a premium experience without the premium price tag. Free entry for under-16s makes it a brilliant family day out, while the fan village offers far more than simply watching golf.

Children could enjoy face painting, stickers and interactive activities, while golfers of every age were able to receive free 15-minute coaching sessions from PGA Professionals at the Golf It! area.

For anyone considering attending a major championship for the first time, it's difficult to think of a better place to start.

One of the biggest surprises for first-time visitors is just how close you can get to the action.

Even during the busiest periods, crowds were rarely more than two people deep around the ropes, giving spectators fantastic views of the world's best players throughout the course.

Compared to many men's majors, where viewing positions can be difficult to find, the AIG Women's Open offers an intimate viewing experience that allows fans to follow groups with ease and truly appreciate the quality of golf being played.

The golf may be the main attraction, but there was always something happening away from the fairways.

The Swing Hub stage became a popular meeting point throughout the week, hosting regular 15-minute interviews and Q&A sessions with current stars and golfing legends, including Solheim Cup icon Laura Davies.

The championship shop also stood out, with Adidas serving as the exclusive merchandise partner, offering a premium range of apparel and souvenirs that gave the event a fresh, modern feel.

This year's championship featured a record-breaking $10 million prize fund, the largest in the tournament's history.

Since becoming title sponsor in 2019, AIG has consistently increased investment into the championship, helping elevate the status of the event alongside the biggest tournaments in world golf.

The increased prize money is another sign of the continued growth of the women's game and reflects the quality of competition now on display every August.

Anniversary championships deserve memorable finishes, and Royal Lytham certainly delivered.

Japan's Shiho Kuwaki claimed her first major championship after defeating Germany's Esther Henseleit in a dramatic two-hole playoff, following four days of consistently impressive golf.

One of the standout moments came during the trophy presentation, when Jenny Lee Smith, the inaugural Women's Open champion from 1976, presented the trophy to Shiho Kuwaki exactly half a century later.

Major championships are remembered for their closing moments, and this one certainly delivered.

Shiho Kuwaki kept her composure to post the clubhouse lead before Esther Henseleit produced a brilliant birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff.

After matching pars on the first extra hole, Henseleit's drive found the gorse on the second playoff hole, opening the door for Kuwaki to claim her maiden major title.

Add in Yealimi Noh's final-round battle, Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul lurking just behind, plus home favourites Charley Hull and Lottie Woad exciting the galleries all week, and it was a Sunday that had everything.

If anyone still thinks women's golf lacks drama, they clearly didn't watch Sunday afternoon.

If Royal Lytham taught us anything, it's that attending the AIG Women's Open should be on every golfer's bucket list.

You get to watch the very best players in the world from closer than almost any other Major, enjoy an outstanding fan experience, and do so at exceptional value for money.

With women's golf continuing to grow at an incredible pace, demand is only likely to increase in the years ahead.

The championship heads to Royal St George's in 2027, and after this year's record-breaking attendance, it's shaping up to be another unforgettable week. If you're thinking about experiencing the AIG Women's Open for the first time, we'd recommend making next year the one. Golfbreaks will once again be offering official ticket packages, making it easier than ever to experience one of the world's fastest-growing sporting events.

The 2026 AIG Women's Open wasn't simply a celebration of 50 years of championship golf. It felt like the start of an exciting new chapter.

The combination of record crowds, record investment, a world-class fan experience and unforgettable drama showed exactly why women's golf continues to capture the imagination of more fans every year.

If this year's event is a sign of what's to come, the future of the AIG Women's Open has never looked brighter, and Royal St George's in 2027 will be one of the sporting events of the year.