Former world number two golfer Cameron Smith said he has received every assurance that LIV Golf will continue operating beyond 2026 [1].
The statement comes as the league faces significant financial uncertainty following the announcement that its primary benefactor will cease funding. Because LIV Golf relies heavily on sovereign wealth for its high purses and player salaries, the loss of this capital threatens the league's long-term viability.
Smith addressed the future of the tour this week, saying, "I have been given 'every assurance' that LIV Golf will continue beyond 2026" [1]. This confidence persists despite the confirmation that the Saudi Public Investment Fund will stop funding the league after the 2026 season [1].
The decision by the Public Investment Fund to end its financial backing has created a vacuum in the league's budget. Smith's comments are intended to reassure both players and fans that the organization has a plan to survive the transition. He said he has been given every assurance that the league will continue [2].
Industry observers are monitoring how the league intends to replace the massive capital injections provided by the Saudi fund. While Smith remains confident, the lack of a publicly disclosed alternative funding source leaves the tour's operational model in question. Smith said he has been given "every assurance" that LIV Golf will continue, despite Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund ending its backing [3].
The league's ability to maintain its current scale will depend on securing new investors, or transitioning to a more traditional commercial model. For now, the players are relying on internal assurances that the tour will not collapse when the current funding cycle ends in 2026 [2].
“"I have been given 'every assurance' that LIV Golf will continue beyond 2026."”
LIV Golf's transition away from the Saudi Public Investment Fund marks a critical pivot for the league. If the tour cannot secure new private equity or sustainable commercial revenue by the end of 2026, it may be forced to drastically reduce prize money or merge with other entities to survive. Smith's public confidence suggests the league is actively negotiating new deals, but the absence of a named successor fund leaves the tour's stability precarious.
