For golfers, The Masters is one of those weeks that still feels different. It is the first men’s major of the season, it arrives just as the golf year begins to feel real again, and it always brings a level of anticipation that few other tournaments can match. For UK golfers in particular, this year’s event has an extra layer of interest, with Rory McIlroy returning to Augusta as defending champion after his dramatic 2025 victory.
When is The Masters 2026?
The Masters Tournament takes place from Thursday 9 April to Sunday 12 April 2026, with Masters week running from Monday 6 April to Sunday 12 April. That means a full week of practice-round coverage, build-up, traditions and tournament action before the Green Jacket is handed out on Sunday evening.
How to watch The Masters in the UK
For UK and Irish viewers, Sky Sports remains the main home of The Masters, with coverage available on Sky Sports Golf and streaming available through NOW. Sky’s current 2026 schedule shows live tournament coverage beginning at 2pm UK time on Thursday and Friday, with the main global broadcast window joining from 6pm on those opening two rounds. Weekend live coverage starts at 4.30pm UK time on both Saturday and Sunday. Sky is also carrying extra feeds, including Amen Corner, Featured Groups and Featured Holes through Sky Sports+.
That matters because one of the biggest frustrations for golf fans is not knowing where the early action is actually being shown. For a UK audience, the practical answer is simple: Sky Sports Golf for the main coverage, NOW for streaming without a long-term contract, and Sky Sports+ for the bonus feeds if you want to follow specific holes and groups more closely.
Why The Masters 2026 feels so significant
This year’s tournament already has a strong narrative before a ball has even been struck in anger. Rory McIlroy returns as defending champion after winning the 2025 Masters in a play-off over Justin Rose, a victory that completed the career Grand Slam and finally gave him the one major that had eluded him. That alone makes him one of the biggest talking points of the week, especially for British and Irish golf fans.
Alongside Rory, the early build-up is also focused on Scottie Scheffler, who arrives as world No. 1 and a player chasing a third Green Jacket in five years. Sky’s tournament preview also points to Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm among the major names likely to shape the week. In other words, this is not just another Masters build-up — it already feels like a strong field with genuine storylines at the top.
British and Irish players to follow at Augusta
For a UK audience, this is where interest naturally becomes more personal. The official 2026 invitee list includes a strong British and Irish presence, with Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Tom McKibbin, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Aaron Rai, Justin Rose, Danny Willett, Harry Hall and Marco Penge all listed in the field.
That creates plenty of different angles for fans to follow. There is the obvious focus on Rory as defending champion, but there is also real interest in whether players like Fleetwood, Hatton or Fitzpatrick can make a serious Augusta run, whether MacIntyre can build on his growing reputation on the biggest stages, and whether a younger name such as McKibbin can make a real impression on one of golf’s grandest stages.
What makes Augusta National so special?
Part of The Masters appeal is that Augusta National is not just famous — it is distinctive. The official Masters course guide leans into that, with hole-by-hole detail, yardages and the strategic demands that make the course so recognisable. Augusta is not simply a long championship layout. It is a course that asks questions in a very particular way, especially on approach shots, around the greens and with nerve under pressure.
For many golfers watching at home, that is what makes the tournament so absorbing. You can see players hit brilliant shots and still face awkward putts. You can also see momentum shift very quickly, because Augusta tends to reward precision and punish hesitation. That is a big reason why The Masters often feels more dramatic than a standard tour event, even before you factor in the history and setting.
Why Amen Corner still matters so much
No Masters preview feels complete without talking about Amen Corner. Official Masters coverage describes it as the most recognisable three-hole stretch in golf and a pivotal part of deciding the tournament each year. It begins at the 11th, where the official hole guide notes that wind is often a factor, with water guarding the green on the left and a bunker waiting on the right.
For viewers in the UK, it is also one of the easiest parts of the tournament to follow closely because Sky is again providing a dedicated Amen Corner feed. That makes it simple to dip into one of the most important stretches on the course without waiting for the main broadcast to move there. For golfers, it remains one of the best examples of how Augusta can turn a tournament in just a few swings.
Masters traditions that still make the week special
Part of what separates The Masters from other majors is the way the traditions still matter. The Par 3 Contest takes place on Wednesday 8 April, with the official Masters site listing a 12:00pm EDT start, which works out to 5:00pm in the UK. It is lighter, more relaxed and often one of the most enjoyable parts of the week for fans.
Then there is the Champions Dinner, another tradition that always draws attention. This year, Rory McIlroy’s menu has already been featured by the official Masters site, with a clear nod to home through Irish-inspired choices mixed with Augusta staples. It is a small detail, but one that adds to the sense that Masters week is about more than just the 72-hole tournament itself.
Why UK golfers will be glued to it again
For UK fans, The Masters always lands at a good time of year. The clocks have changed, evenings are lighter, the season is starting properly, and there is something about watching Augusta that gets golfers thinking about their own game again. Add in Rory defending, a strong British and Irish field, and the usual Augusta drama, and there is every reason to think this will be one of the most closely followed golf weeks of the spring.
The Masters 2026 FAQ
When is The Masters 2026?
The tournament runs from 9–12 April 2026, with Masters week beginning on 6 April.
How can I watch The Masters in the UK?
You can watch on Sky Sports Golf, stream through NOW, and follow extra feeds like Amen Corner and Featured Groups via Sky Sports+.
Who is the defending champion?
Rory McIlroy is the defending champion after winning the 2025 Masters in a play-off against Justin Rose.
Which British and Irish players are in the field?
The official invitee list includes Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Tom McKibbin, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Aaron Rai, Justin Rose, Danny Willett, Harry Hall and Marco Penge.
What is Amen Corner?
Amen Corner is Augusta National’s famous three-hole stretch from the 11th through the 13th and is widely seen as one of the most important parts of the course in deciding the tournament.
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