The City of Indian Wells will continue as the presenting sponsor of the Epson Tour Championship for the third consecutive year, bringing the season-ending showcase event to the newly redesigned Players Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort from September 28 to October 4, 2026. As the final tournament of the Epson Tour season, the championship will determine which players earn LPGA Tour cards for 2027, with the top 15 finishers on the season-long "Race for the Card" standings securing their status.
This year's tournament introduces significant changes designed to heighten competition and reward performance. The field has been limited to the top 80 players on the Race for the Card standings, and the 72-hole championship will feature a no-cut format, ensuring all qualified players compete for the full four rounds. The total purse is $250,000, with the winner receiving $100,000—a first in the 46-year history of the tour. These changes underscore the Epson Tour's role as the official qualifying tour of the LPGA, preparing elite female professionals for the highest level of competition.
For golf fans, the event offers a rare opportunity to participate in the official Pro-Am on Wednesday of tournament week, playing alongside a future LPGA Tour star on the Players Course. The redesigned course, part of the award-winning Indian Wells Golf Resort, provides a challenging championship test set against the backdrop of the Coachella Valley.
"As a premier golf destination, we are excited to once again welcome the Epson Tour Championship to Indian Wells," said Dr. Toper Taylor, mayor of Indian Wells. "The Epson Tour brings some of the most talented professional women golfers to our community and provides an incredible opportunity for residents, visitors, and golf fans to experience championship-caliber competition right here in Indian Wells."
Jody Brothers, GM of the Epson Tour, echoed that sentiment: "Indian Wells has become the perfect stage for the Epson Tour to crown its season, and we couldn't ask for a better partner in the City of Indian Wells. The newly redesigned Players Course gives our athletes a true championship test, and the backdrop of the Coachella Valley creates an unforgettable setting for the final push toward LPGA Tour cards. This is where dreams are realized, and there's no place we'd rather do it."
The implications of this announcement extend beyond the tournament itself. For the players, the increased prize money and no-cut format provide greater financial stability and competitive experience as they vie for LPGA Tour membership. For the City of Indian Wells and the Coachella Valley, hosting a high-profile professional golf event boosts tourism and reinforces the region's reputation as a premier golf destination. The Epson Tour's continued growth—from 15 tournaments and $1.6 million in prize money a decade ago to $5 million across 20 events in 2025—signals the expanding opportunities for women in professional golf. Over 400 LPGA Tour titles and more than 50 major championships have been won by Epson Tour alumni, highlighting the tour's critical role in developing top talent.
For more information on the Epson Tour Championship, visit www.epsontourchampionship.com. For more information about the City of Indian Wells, visit www.CityOfIndianWells.org. Follow the Epson Tour at www.epsontour.com.
