Masters 2026 Coverage Begins Thursday Amid High Anticipation
Masters 2026 Coverage Begins Thursday Amid High Anticipation...
Golf fans across the U.S. are searching for Masters coverage details as the 2026 tournament approaches. ESPN and CBS will begin live broadcasts from Augusta National on Thursday, April 10, marking the 90th edition of the prestigious event.
First-round coverage starts at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN, with early featured group streaming available at 8:45 a.m. via Masters.com. The tournament runs through Sunday, when CBS takes over for the final round at 2 p.m. ET.
Interest spiked this week as defending champion Scottie Scheffler arrived in Georgia seeking his third green jacket. Tiger Woods' participation remains uncertain following his withdrawal last year, adding to the speculation driving search traffic.
Augusta National confirmed several broadcast innovations for 2026, including enhanced 4K coverage and new camera angles. The club also announced a 12% purse increase, bringing the total prize money to $18.5 million.
Local businesses in Augusta report record advance bookings for watch parties, with sports bars adding extra screens. Merchandise sales at the tournament's online shop are up 22% compared to last year's pre-event period.
Viewers can access complementary coverage through the Masters Tournament app, which will provide real-time leaderboard updates and select hole coverage. CBS Sports Network will air encore presentations each evening at 8 p.m. ET.
Tournament organizers expect strong ratings following last year's dramatic finish, when Scheffler edged out Rory McIlroy by one stroke. Weather forecasts predict ideal conditions for Thursday's opening round, with temperatures in the mid-70s and light winds.
