LIV Golf opens window for offseason moves as teams shape 2026 rosters for championship success in the League’s biggest season yet
Oct 30, 2025 - 1:00 PMWritten by: LIV Golf Staff
Extensions, trades, free agency, new talent and new entry pathways are all on the table for Teams to consider before the new season
LONDON & NEW YORK – LIV Golf has entered its official offseason window when Team GMs and captains can refresh their rosters ahead of the 2026 season.
The window begins the process for teams to lock in players who finished in the top 24 of the individual standings, offer contract extensions to players who finished in the Open Zone, explore trades between teams, and sign players who are becoming free agents. In addition, teams can scout new talent outside the league or wait for the entry of new players via LIV Golf Promotions and the International Series, ensuring a dynamic period of change and opportunity across the League.
With some teams losing players and others looking to bring in different talent as they consider their four-player lineups, team captains and GMs will have a number of factors to consider as they assess potential signings and shape their rosters ahead of the new season.
“Every team has the chance to re-evaluate and build something special in the offseason, just like in other major sports. It also keeps fans invested and engaged in what we are doing and there’s terrific excitement heading into next year," said Phil Mickelson, Captain of HyFlyers GC.
“Losing a player on HyFlyers GC this season opens the door to bring someone in who further elevates our team and makes us more competitive. I love the culture we have created with HyFlyers GC, and as captain, I am excited to add to our camaraderie and our commitment to playing championship caliber golf. There is great energy and belief in what we are building and that it is evident from the players I am talking to who want to join our team. I know there is tremendous excitement around how every LIV team is evolving as we head into a new season. “
With transfer activity now possible, here is more information about this exciting moment of the year.
Individual standings determine player status
LIV Golf’s combined team and individual competitions contribute to two leaderboards each season. The Individual Championship crowns the season’s top performer, while the Team Championship finalizes the standings for the League’s 13 franchises.
Spanish superstar Jon Rahm captured the Individual Title and led his Legion XIII to the Team Championship in 2025. Torque GC captain Joaquin Niemann placed runner-up in the Individual standings followed by Bryson DeChambeau in third place. On the team side, DeChambeau’s Crushers GC finished second in the Team Championship, with Stinger GC placing third.
The final Individual Standings are divided into three categories, shaping each player’s offseason status:
- Lock Zone (Top 24): Players are assured of a place in the 2026 LIV Golf season. Those with expiring contracts automatically receive at least a one-year extension offer from their current team. Should a player decline, he enters free agency.
- Open Zone (25-48): Players who placed between 25th and 48th with expiring contracts may be re-signed or enter free agency.
- Drop Zone (49+): Players who finished in the bottom section of the standings are relegated and released but remain eligible to compete for a return via LIV Golf Promotions or through the International Series.
Contract extensions for Lock Zone players
Players inside the Top 24 whose contracts end this season are automatically offered at least one more season with their current team. If the offer is rejected, those players enter the market and are free to sign with another LIV Golf team.
The following players finished in the Lock Zone at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season:
POS | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
1 | Jon Rahm | 226.16 |
2 | Joaquin Niemann | 223.68 |
3 | Bryson DeChambeau | 144.74 |
4 | Sebastian Muñoz | 133.06 |
5 | Dean Burmester | 117.25 |
6 | Talor Gooch | 112.70 |
7 | Patrick Reed | 109.40 |
8 | Carlos Ortiz | 99.25 |
9 | Sergio Garcia | 89.82 |
10 | David Puig | 85.48 |
11 | Bubba Watson | 78.99 |
12 | Abraham Ancer | 75.54 |
13 | Marc Leishman | 74.50 |
14 | Dustin Johnson | 72.90 |
15 | Lucas Herbert | 71.90 |
16 | Paul Casey | 71.47 |
17 | Adrian Meronk | 70.66 |
18 | Cameron Smith | 68.80 |
19 | Thomas Pieters | 67.91 |
20 | Tom McKibbin | 65.87 |
21 | Charles Howell III | 61.53 |
22 | Harold Varner III | 60.31 |
23 | Charl Schwartzel | 56.30 |
24 | Phil Mickelson | 55.97 |
Free agency, trades, and recruitment
Free agency includes any Lock Zone players who have declined a contract extension from their team, Open Zone players whose contracts have expired, or potential new signings from outside of the league. Teams can choose to re-sign their existing players or pursue new talent to fill openings on their rosters. Options for filling the roster spots include:
- Signing a Lock Zone player who becomes a free agent
- Signing an Open Zone player who is out of contract
- Signing a player contracted from another team (transferring the player’s rights to a new team)
- Agreeing to trade players still under contract (with both teams’ approval)
- Recruiting talent from outside the league
- Signing a player from the pathways created by the International Series and LIV Golf Promotions
The following players finished in the Open Zone at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season:
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Drop Zone: Relegated players and next steps
Players who finished 49th or lower in the 2025 Individual Standings fall into the Drop Zone and are therefore relegated from the League for 2026. These players are released from their current teams and will not be eligible for direct re-signing during the recruitment window.
The following players finished in the Drop Zone at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season:
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However, relegation does not mean the end of their LIV Golf journey. Drop Zone players can pursue a return to the League through:
- LIV Golf Promotions
A qualification event offering entry into the League for rising professionals, elite amateurs, and relegated LIV Golf players seeking a return. Details on the next edition of LIV Golf Promotions will be announced soon.
- International Series (Asian Tour-sanctioned)
A global circuit providing a premier pathway into LIV Golf. Three events remain on the 2025 schedule; the LINK Hong Kong Open (30 Oct-2 Nov), Moutai Singapore Open (6-9 Nov) and the PIF Saudi International presented by SoftBank (19-22 Nov).
Former LIV Golf player Scott Vincent currently leads the International Series standings with 318.99 points, aiming to reclaim his League place. Miguel Tabuena, winner of last week’s International Series Philippines presented by Bingo Plus, climbs to second, followed by Ripper GC’s Lucas Herbert – who has already qualified for his spot on LIV Golf in 2026 after finishing 15th in this season’s LIV Golf individual standings.
This system ensures that the League remains both competitive and open by rewarding top performances while still offering opportunities for established players to earn their way back.
Player signings and trades will be announced by LIV Golf teams as they finalize their lineups in the lead up to the upcoming season. The 2026 schedule will take place across 10 countries, 5 continents, and premier global venues in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America, starting with the season opener LIV Golf Riyadh presented by ROSHN, February 5-7, 2026.
Tickets for LIV Golf’s 2026 season are available now. Ticket prices vary by market, however and fans are encouraged to purchase early as inventory is limited. Children aged 12 and under receive complimentary Grounds Pass admission (two per paying adult). All LIV Golf tickets include same-day access to live concert performances. Click here for a closer look and more information on the full 2026 schedule and musical lineup.