2026 Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs: Schedule, Field, Format and Everything to Know
The 2026 Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs are set to begin following the conclusion of the 25-event PGA Tour Champions regular season. The three-tournament postseason will determine the season-long champion, with 72 golfers competing for the title and a place in the history of senior professional golf.
The 2026 playoff series features a new tournament in St. Louis, replacing the Dominion Energy Classic in Richmond, Virginia. The postseason begins with the Stifel Charity Classic from October 23 to 25, followed by the Simmons Bank Championship from October 30 to November 1. The season concludes with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Phoenix Country Club from November 12 to 15.
The field will shrink from 72 players to 54 after the opening event and then to 36 for the championship. Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and Steven Alker headline the contenders heading into the postseason.
2026 Charles Schwab Cup Playoff Schedule
Stifel Charity Classic
Dates: October 23 to 25, 2026
Venue: Norwood Hills Country Club, St. Louis, Missouri
Total purse: $2.3 million
Winner's share: $315,000
Defending champion: Thomas Bjorn
Field: 72 players
The Stifel Charity Classic opens the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs. All 72 qualified golfers will compete, but only the top 54 in the standings will advance to the next event.
Simmons Bank Championship
Dates: October 30 to November 1, 2026
Venue: Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, Arkansas
Total purse: $2.3 million
Winner's share: $365,000
Defending champion: Steven Alker
Field: 54 players
The Simmons Bank Championship is the second stage of the postseason. The remaining golfers will compete for a place in the final 36-player field at Phoenix Country Club.
Charles Schwab Cup Championship
Dates: November 12 to 15, 2026
Venue: Phoenix Country Club, Phoenix, Arizona
Total purse: $3 million
Winner's share: $528,000
Defending tournament champion: Stewart Cink
Field: 36 players
Format: 72-hole stroke play
The Charles Schwab Cup Championship is the final tournament of the PGA Tour Champions season. Phoenix Country Club continues as the host venue, with the event scheduled for the ninth consecutive year at the course.
The tournament winner receives the championship title, while the overall Charles Schwab Cup champion is determined by the season-long points race. These honors can go to different players.
How Does the Charles Schwab Cup Playoff Format Work?
The 2026 postseason consists of three events, with the field reduced after each tournament.
Opening event: 72 players compete at the Stifel Charity Classic.
Second event: The top 54 advance to the Simmons Bank Championship.
Final event: The top 36 qualify for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
Each stage increases the pressure on players trying to remain in contention. A strong performance can help golfers advance, while a poor result could end their postseason run before the final championship.
How Is the Charles Schwab Cup Different From the FedEx Cup?
The Charles Schwab Cup and the FedEx Cup both recognize season-long performance, but their championship systems differ.
On the PGA Tour, the Tour Championship determines the FedEx Cup champion. On PGA Tour Champions, the winner of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship does not automatically become the overall Charles Schwab Cup champion.
The final tournament winner and the season-long points leader can therefore be two different golfers. In 2025, Stewart Cink won both the Charles Schwab Cup Championship and the overall Charles Schwab Cup title.
Full List of 72 Players in the 2026 Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs
The following golfers make up the reported 72-player playoff field, listed in qualifying order.
Stewart Cink
Zach Johnson
Steven Alker
Padraig Harrington
Retief Goosen
Ernie Els
Boo Weekley
George McNeill
Ben Crane
Alex Cejka
Miguel Angel Jimenez
Darren Clarke
Y.E. Yang
Soren Kjeldsen
Jerry Kelly
Tag Ridings
Scott Hend
Tommy Gainey
Freddie Jacobson
Richard Green
Vaughn Taylor
Cameron Percy
Rory Sabbatini
Tim O'Neal
Michael Wright
Charlie Wi
Matt Gogel
Dicky Pride
Stephen Ames
Thongchai Jaidee
Jason Caron
David Toms
Vijay Singh
Ryan Armour
Steve Allan
Bo Van Pelt
Angel Cabrera
Greg Chalmers
Paul Stankowski
Ricardo Gonzalez
Bernhard Langer
Michael Block
Darren Fichardt
Brian Gay
Steve Flesch
Paul Goydos
Robert Karlsson
K.J. Choi
Mario Tiziani
Chad Campbell
Jamie Donaldson
Justin Leonard
J.J. Henry
Scott Parel
Ken Tanigawa
Henrik Stenson
Doug Barron
Colin Montgomerie
David Duval
Tim Petrovic
Rod Pampling
Mark Hensby
Stuart Appleby
John Rollins
David Bransdon
Kevin Sutherland
Brett Quigley
Mike Weir
Mathew Goggin
Shane Bertsch
Kenny Perry
Harrison Frazar
Has Michael Block Qualified for the 2026 Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs?
Yes. Michael Block is included in the 72-player field and ranks 42nd in the reported qualifying order.
The club professional has competed primarily through sponsor exemptions during the season. He will aim to advance through the first two tournaments and reach the final 36-player championship field.
Reaching the season-ending championship is especially important for players seeking to secure their playing status for the 2027 PGA Tour Champions season.
Who Has Won the Most Charles Schwab Cup Titles?
Bernhard Langer holds the record for the most career Charles Schwab Cup titles, with seven.
His achievements place him among the most successful players in PGA Tour Champions history. The 2026 postseason offers the current contenders another opportunity to add their names to the competition's record books.
All PGA Tour Champions Winners in 2026
Fourteen different golfers have won tournaments during the 2026 regular season, according to the supplied results.
Zach Johnson: 6 wins
Stewart Cink: 5 wins
Steven Alker: 4 wins
Darren Clarke: 1 win
Ben Crane: 1 win
Retief Goosen: 1 win
Padraig Harrington: 1 win
Scott Hend: 1 win
Jerry Kelly: 1 win
Dicky Pride: 1 win
Vijay Singh: 1 win
Vaughn Taylor: 1 win
David Toms: 1 win
Boo Weekley: 1 win
Zach Johnson leads the list with six victories, followed by Stewart Cink with five and Steven Alker with four. Their regular-season performances make them key contenders to watch during the playoffs.
What to Expect From the 2026 Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs
The 2026 Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs will feature three tournaments, a new stop in St. Louis and a season-ending championship in Phoenix. The field reductions will make every round important for players hoping to reach the final 36-player event.
The action begins October 23 at Norwood Hills Country Club. The Simmons Bank Championship follows one week later, before the Charles Schwab Cup Championship concludes the season from November 12 to 15.
Golf fans can follow the tournament results, field changes and points race as the PGA Tour Champions season reaches its final stage.
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