PGA Tour 2028 format overhaul: two series, relegation, matc…
PGA Tour’s 2028 shake-up: two series, promotion-relegation, match play finale
The PGA Tour’s radical 2028 overhaul splits the season into two tiers, adds promotion-relegation, and ends with a winner-take-all match-play showdown at East Lake.
The PGA Tour will scrap its familiar calendar in 2028 and install a two-tier system that forces players to fight for their status every week. The Tour splits the season into two distinct series—Series A and Series B—with the bottom seven finishers in Series A automatically relegated to Series B, while the top two from Series B earn promotion back to Series A. Every regular event now counts toward a cumulative points race; only the top 30 after the BMW Championship advance to the Tour Championship, which will be a straight-single-elimination match-play bracket.
The champion at East Lake collects a $25 million bonus atop the $20 million purse, making the finale a winner-take-all spectacle. The Tour’s board approved the plan 12-3 on June 12, 2024, with implementation slated for the 2028 calendar year. Series A will run from January through August and feature the strongest fields, while Series B—spanning September to November—acts as the proving ground for challengers.
Points earned in Series B count toward promotion but do not carry over to Series A totals. The Tour projects the change will add $120 million in new purses across both series by 2030, funded by a 5% increase in title-sponsor contributions and a reallocation of FedEx Cup bonus pools. Broadcasting partners have already secured multi-year extensions under the new format, with NBC and CBS locking in rights through 2034.
The shift mirrors European soccer’s pyramid structure, where survival and promotion drive narrative stakes beyond mere rankings. By segmenting the season, the Tour creates a built-in narrative arc for mid-tier players who now compete for promotion rather than just chasing limited FedEx Cup points. This could redefine how fans engage with events outside the traditional majors, giving Series B a distinct identity as a high-stakes proving ground rather than a consolation prize.
The financial engine behind the overhaul relies on two levers: a 5% bump in title-sponsor contributions and a reallocation of FedEx Cup bonus pools. The Tour forecasts $120 million in new purse money by 2030, but the real lever is audience fragmentation. If Series B events draw consistent viewership, the model could expand to other tours; if not, the Tour risks splitting its core audience and diluting ratings.
The match-play finale at East Lake—$45 million on the line—is the format’s biggest gamble to keep casual fans glued to screens through November. The relegation threat forces top players to treat every event like a survival mission. A single bad week in Series A could drop a star into Series B, where the pressure intensifies.
For aspiring pros, the two-tier system finally offers a clear career ladder: grind in Series B, earn promotion, then chase the match-play trophy. The Tour’s player-relations committee will hold town halls in July to finalize minor tweaks before the 2025 pilot in select events. Player reaction has been split.
” What’s next: The Tour will publish the full 2028 schedule by December 2024 and open registration for Series B qualifiers in January 2025. The first pilot events—two Series B events in October 2025—will test promotion-relegation mechanics before a full rollout. Read at NewsAPI.org
Why this matters
The overhaul flips golf’s incentive structure from cumulative strokes to survival, turning every bogey into a potential existential threat. By borrowing promotion-relegation from soccer, the Tour risks alienating traditionalists but could finally give mid-tier players and fans a reason to care in August and September. The match-play finale at East Lake turns the FedEx Cup into a must-watch spectacle akin to a golf World Cup final, potentially lifting TV ratings and sponsorship value while forcing the world’s best to prioritize consistency over one-week peaks. The two-tier system also creates a clear career path for aspiring pros, who now have a defined route to the top tier rather than relying on a single breakthrough week.
Frequently asked
How does promotion-relegation work under the new format?
After the BMW Championship, the bottom seven players in Series A drop to Series B for the fall swing. The top two finishers in Series B automatically return to Series A the following season.
Will points from Series B carry over to Series A?
No. Points earned in Series B only count toward promotion back to Series A; they do not contribute to the Series A points race.
How much prize money is at stake in the new Tour Championship?
The Tour Championship purse remains $20 million, but the winner collects an additional $25 million bonus, making the total first-place payoff $45 million.
When does the new format start?
The overhaul takes effect with the 2028 PGA Tour season. A pilot program featuring two Series B events will run in October 2025.
Which tournaments are guaranteed to remain in Series A?
The four majors, Players Championship, and three additional marquee events are locked into Series A. The Tour will announce the remaining spots in December 2024.
How will broadcast partners adapt to the new schedule?
NBC and CBS have extended rights through 2034 and will split Series A weekends, while Golf Channel will carry Series B events. The match-play finale at East Lake will air live on NBC in primetime.
