In a groundbreaking new announcement, four-time major champion Ernie Els is set to host a brand new PGA Tour Champions event, The Portugal Invitational, in 2026.
The tournament will mark the first time a PGA Tour-sanctioned individual stroke play event will be hosted in the European country, and will arrive at the South African’s newly refurbished Els Club during the week of July 27.
The Els Club, which is located in Vilamoura, is set to welcome a field of 78 players, including World Golf Hall of Fame stars and PGA Champions Tour members. Through the Tour’s strategic alliance with the DP World Tour, members from the Legends Tour will also be invited to participate.
They will all compete for a jaw-dropping prize purse of £2.23million ($3m) across this stunning track, with golfing legends Bernhard Langer and Miguel Ángel Jimenez both speaking of their excitement at the news.
All three rounds of the event will be televised on the GOLF Channel, with the Portugal Invitational set to be sandwiched between the ISPS Handa Senior Open and the Staysure Senior PGA Championship on the Legends Tour, culminating in what is set to be a simply outstanding showing of golf in Europe.
The PGA Tour Champions, Arrow Global Group and Turismo de Portugal de Algarve have joined forces to bring this event to European shores, with the group announcing a five-year strategic partnership to host Tour Champions events in Portugal.
In a groundbreaking new announcement, four-time major champion Ernie Els (pictured) is set to host a brand new PGA Tour Champions event, The Portugal Invitational, in 2026
The event will be hosted at his newly refurbished Els Club golf course located in Vilamoura
The PGA Tour Champions are partnering up with Els, Arrow Global Group and Turismo de Portugal to host the event
‘We are thrilled to partner with Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal, Turismo de Algarve and Ernie Els to announce this exciting, first-of-its-kind PGA TOUR Champions event in Portugal,’ PGA TOUR Champions President, Miller Brady, said.
‘This Tour is a global showcase of the game’s legendary players, and we know the great golf fans in Portugal and throughout Europe will welcome the opportunity to watch them compete in person at The Els Club Vilamoura.’
Portugal is one of the greatest places to play golf in Europe, but at present, only the Hotel Planner Tour will visit the European country in 2025, for the Open de Portugal at the Royal Obidos Spa and Golf Resort, in Vau Obidos.
Els, who won The Open in 1994 and 1997 and the US Open in 2002 and 2012, is currently leading some exciting and innovative renovation works on the course, which was formerly known as the Victoria Course. This illustrious track had previously hosted the Portugal Masters between 2007 and 2022. Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Shane Lowry have won at this venue in the past.
The South African, who has led renovation works at some of the world’s most iconic golf courses, including Wentworth’s West Course, spoke of his excitement over the renovations, with the Els Club in Vilamoura set to open in 2025.
‘Whenever our firm designs a golf course, we always have an eye on what makes it a successful tournament venue, so this was always a big part of our plans for The Els Club Vilamoura,’ Els said, speaking on the huge announcement.
‘It’s wonderful to see those plans now coming to fruition and we’re grateful to PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady, the team at Arrow Global Group and Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Algarve, for sharing in our vision and bringing this exciting new tournament here.
Some big names from the world of golf, including Collin Montgomerie, were present to celebrate the exciting news
Renovations to the Els Club will be completed in 2025, with players set to take to the course in July 2026 for the Portugal Invitational
This illustrious track had previously hosted the Portugal Masters between 2007 and 2022. Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Shane Lowry have won at this venue in the past
‘Working with Arrow Global and everyone at Vilamoura has been an absolute pleasure these past few years; they had a clear vision and mission from the get-go, which allowed us to focus our efforts on creating the very best golf course that we could. We’re very proud of this course; it looks incredible.
‘There are a lot of great holes, a lot of memorable holes, and overall, it’s a really well-balanced test of golf. The practice facilities here are world-class, too. Everything about The Els Club Vilamoura makes it the ideal tournament venue. The players are going to love it, not just the golf course but this whole destination. It’s such a beautiful part of the world.’
The Algarve is one of the most famous destinations in the world for golf, with approximately 1.5billion rounds played annually.
And according to John Calvao, Fund Principal at Arrow Global Group, the addition of the Portugal Invitational to the PGA Tour Champions Schedule signifies a huge leap in bringing some of the greatest players of the game to Portugal’s shores.
‘This announcement signifies the convergence of several heavyweights in the game of golf; the renowned golf destination of the Algarve, the might of Ernie Els’ design, and the legendary golfers who will compete on these fairways,’ Calvao said.
‘For Arrow Global, this is a major step in realizing our vision for Portugal as one of the best global golf and lifestyle destinations, and we believe this tournament will showcase the world-class quality of the course and the strength of our long-term commitment to the region.’
Aside from upgrades to the golf course, Arrow Global Group are investing in Vilamoura as a region, adding multiple hotels while also announcing their intention to build a beach club.
‘We’ve made a significant investment in the destination, elevating it with world-class hotels, a completely renovated marina, upgraded golf courses, and a high-end equestrian center. We’re also further developing high-quality real estate that reflects the lifestyle our guests and residents seek. Soon, we’ll be adding a country club and a beach club, making this a destination that truly has everything for families and all generations to enjoy.’
The South African, who has led renovation works at some of the world’s most iconic golf courses, including Wentworth’s West Course, spoke of his excitement over the renovations, with the Els Club in Vilamoura set to open in 2025
The course weaves its way around an array of water bodies and looks simply stunning
The addition of the Portugal Invitational to the Tour Champions schedule is being accompanied by huge local investment into the Vilamoura
Andre Gomes, President of the Algarve Tourism Board noted the significance of this announcement.
‘Hosting the Portugal Invitational in Vilamoura is a historic milestone for the Algarve and for Portugal. This partnership with PGA TOUR Champions further raises our destination’s international profile and confirms the Algarve as an essential reference point in European golf,’ Gomes said.
‘The Els Club Vilamoura, now the venue for an event of this magnitude, reflects our commitment to combining quality, sustainability and reputation with a distinctive tourist offering capable of attracting elite competitions.
‘The Algarve has been Portugal’s leading golf destination for decades, with around 1.5 million rounds played annually, and continues to invest in a diverse, contemporary and environmentally responsible offering. This tournament raises the bar and reflects the regional ambition to establish the Algarve as a year-round tourist destination, with a direct impact on the economy, employment and promotion of the region. We are ready to welcome the big names in golf history and show the world everything the Algarve has to offer — on and off the course.’
