Sompo signs multi-year sponsorship agreement with the PGA Tour
The Japanese insurance and financial group Sompo will sponsor the PGA Tour event held in Napa, California, in 2027, and will also sponsor the top-tier PGA Tour Championship Series, which will launch in 2028.
According to an announcement made by the PGA Tour in July 2026, Sompo is the first new sponsor to join the new championship series. Specific details regarding the contract duration, sponsorship amount, the name of the 2028 tournament, and the host location have not been disclosed.
2027: Sponsorship begins at the Napa Silverado Resort
The first round of the Sompo-sponsored tournament will be held from July 26th to August 1st, 2027, at the Silverado Resort North Course. Silverado Resort is located in Napa, California, and this course has hosted an annual PGA Tour event every year from 2014 to 2025.
The 2027 tournament will be a 72-hole stroke play event with 144 participants. The top 65 players, including those tied for the position after 36 holes, will advance to the main competition.
The broadcast will be available through PGA Tour’s broadcasting and digital platforms, including CBS in the United States, the Golf Channel, PGA Tour Live, PGA Tour Radio, and World Feed.
Conversion to a 2028 Championship Series tournament
The Napa tournament in 2027 will be incorporated into the PGA Tour Championship Series starting in 2028 and will move to a new location. The PGA Tour plans to announce the tournament name, host city, course, and detailed schedule at a later date.
The new competitive structure for the PGA Tour, which will be introduced in 2028, consists of a top-tier Championship Series and a lower-tier Challenger Series. Promotion and relegation between the two series will be based on player performance.
Key operational guidelines for the championship series
- On average, approximately 120 players participate in each regular season tournament.
- The tournament will consist of 72 holes of stroke play, with a 36-hole cut.
- Minimum total prize money per tournament: $20,000,000.
- At least 90 players from the previous season’s points ranking will remain.
- In the Challenger series, 20 players are promoted each year.
- The system for accepting entries through sponsor invitations is not in operation.
According to a statement from the PGA Tour, the Championship Series will consist of approximately 23 to 24 events per season, including The Players Championship, the four major championships, the postseason, and international team competitions such as the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup. Of these, approximately 15 events are planned for the regular season.
Reasons behind Sompo’s sponsorship of the PGA Tour
Sompo Holdings is an insurance holding company headquartered in Tokyo. It operates not only in the Japanese non-life and life insurance markets, but also in overseas insurance, as well as businesses related to care and health. Its overseas insurance operations have a presence in 29 countries and regions.
Sompo Property and Casualty’s CEO, James Shay, stated that this partnership will expand the company’s global brand recognition and provide an opportunity to showcase its capabilities to customers, partners, and the local community.
For the PGA Tour, the agreement with Sompo means securing a long-term sponsorship foundation necessary for the new tournament structure in 2028. However, according to a report in Sports Business Journal, both parties have not disclosed the specific sponsorship amount, only stating that it is a multi-year contract.
Key upcoming schedules to be confirmed
The key details that have been confirmed are the dates and format of the 2027 Napa tournament, and the transition to the Championship Series in 2028. The new host city will be selected from a market different from Napa.
Future announcements are expected to reveal the official name of the 2028 event, the host city, the golf course, and the competition dates. The entire schedule of the PGA Tour Championship Series and the detailed eligibility requirements for participation will also undergo additional confirmation procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did Sompo begin sponsoring PGA Tour tournaments?
Sompo’s sponsorship will begin with the tournament held from July 26 to August 1, 2027, at the Silverado Resort in Napa, California.
Where will the Sompo-sponsored tournament be held in 2028?
It has not yet been announced. The PGA Tour plans to move the 2028 tournament from Napa to other locations, and will announce the host city and course at a later date.
What is the financial scale of Sompo’s sponsorship agreement with the PGA Tour?
Both sides announced that they had concluded a multi-year contract, but they did not disclose the specific contract duration or the sponsorship amount.
What is the PGA Tour Championship Series?
This is the top-tier competitive system of the PGA Tour, which will launch in 2028. Regular season tournaments are planned to feature an average of approximately 120 players and a total prize money of at least $20,000,000.
Are the PGA Tour Championship Series and the PGA Tour Championship the same tournament?
No. The Champions Series is the highest-tier series of the PGA Tour, which will be introduced in 2028. The PGA Tour Champions is a separate tour primarily for players aged 50 and above.
How many participants will compete in the Sompo-sponsored tournament in 2027?
A total of 144 players will compete in a 72-hole stroke play format. After the first 36 holes, the top 65 players, including those tied for position, will advance to the next round.
