The 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational format remains unchanged this year, with the PGA Tour event played at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida.
The 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational field is 72 players.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational field is made up of a variety of players, namely nearly 41 top-50 players in the world and the top of this season's FedEx Cup standings.
Arnold Palmer Invitational format
The Arnold Palmer Invitational format is a 72-hole event. The field is divided into morning and afternoon waves for the first two rounds, with players competing in twosomes each day. The same groups play together in each of the first two rounds, with all groups playing together in the same window.
A cut is made after 36 holes to the top 50 players and ties, as well as those within 10 shots of the lead after two rounds. All players who make the field and make the cut are eligible to finish the event.
For the third and fourth rounds, the pairings and tee times are made based on each player's total score through two and three rounds, respectively. Players with the highest total score go first, then in descending order until the two players with the lowest total score in the final group.
The player with the lowest total score after 72 holes is the winner and will earn the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational winner's share of the purse.
The winning player will get a two-season PGA Tour exemption. The winner is exempt into other tournaments as well. The winner earns 700 FedEx Cup points and 70 Official World Golf Ranking points.
Arnold Palmer Invitational playoff format
A playoff to settle any ties after 72 holes will be played under PGA Tour rules. The Arnold Palmer Invitational playoff format is a sudden-death format, with playoff holes being 18 in a loop, played by any qualifying players. The players compete hole-by-hole until a winner is determined by a player scoring the lowest among the remaining players.
