ALGARVE, Portugal – Officials from PGA TOUR Champions, Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Algarve announced today a five-year partnership to host a new professional golf tournament in Portugal. The inaugural Portugal Invitational will debut the week of July 27, 2026, and will feature a field of 78 players, including World Golf Hall of Fame and PGA TOUR Champions members, as well as Legends Tour members. The event will mark the first PGA TOUR-sanctioned individual stroke play event to be held in Portugal and will feature a purse of $3 million USD. It will follow the ISPS Handa Senior Open and precede the Staysure Senior PGA Championship on the Legends Tour in a compelling three-week swing of European golf featuring some of the game’s most iconic players.
“We are thrilled to partner with Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal, Turismo de Algarve and Ernie Els to announce this exciting, first-of-its-kind PGA TOUR Champions event in Portugal,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady. “This Tour is a global showcase of the game’s legendary players, and we know the great golf fans in Portugal and throughout Europe will welcome the opportunity to watch them compete in person at The Els Club Vilamoura.”
The event will be contested at The Els Club Vilamoura, designed by Els – a seven-time PGA TOUR Champions winner and World Golf Hall of Fame member. The newly-redesigned Els Club hosted the DP World Tour’s Portugal Masters from 2007 through 2022, producing winners such as Open Champion Shane Lowry (2012) and World Golf Hall of Fame member and current PGA TOUR Champions star Padraig Harrington (2016). Portugal’s only prior hosting of a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event came at the 2005 World Cup of Golf, a former team competition.
“Whenever our firm designs a golf course, we always have an eye on what makes it a successful tournament venue, so this was always a big part of our plans for The Els Club Vilamoura. It’s wonderful to see those plans now coming to fruition and we’re grateful to PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady, the team at Arrow Global Group and Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Algarve, for sharing in our vision and bringing this exciting new tournament here,” said Els. “Working with Arrow Global and everyone at Vilamoura has been an absolute pleasure these past few years; they had a clear vision and mission from the get-go, which allowed us to focus our efforts on creating the very best golf course that we could. We’re very proud of this course; it looks incredible. There are a lot of great holes, a lot of memorable holes, and overall, it’s a really well-balanced test of golf. The practice facilities here are world-class, too. Everything about The Els Club Vilamoura makes it the ideal tournament venue. The players are going to love it, not just the golf course but this whole destination. It’s such a beautiful part of the world.”
Vilamoura is one of the Algarve’s most refined towns, with pristine beaches, wineries, olive groves, fleur de sel fields and more. Guests interested in local exploration can explore the legendary Ria Formosa islands and encounter unique ecosystems as fishermen harvest oysters, clams and other local delicacies. Nearby Loulé is a hilly region with ancient ruins and a charming local market, whilst The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is a spectacular 11.5km coastal hike.
“This announcement signifies the convergence of several heavyweights in the game of golf; the renowned golf destination of the Algarve, the might of Ernie Els' design, and the legendary golfers who will compete on these fairways. For Arrow Global, this is a major step in realizing our vision for Portugal as one of the best global golf and lifestyle destinations, and we believe this tournament will showcase the world-class quality of the course and the strength of our long-term commitment to the region,” said John Calvão, Arrow Global Group Fund Principal. “We’ve made a significant investment in the destination, elevating it with world-class hotels, a completely renovated marina, upgraded golf courses, and a high-end equestrian center. We’re also further developing high-quality real estate that reflects the lifestyle our guests and residents seek. Soon, we’ll be adding a country club and a beach club, making this a destination that truly has everything for families and all generations to enjoy.”
“Portugal has increasingly become a world-class destination for major international sporting events and welcoming PGA TOUR Champions is a natural next step in that journey,” said Carlos Abade, President of Turismo de Portugal. “This tournament will not only showcase the excellence of our golf courses but also the beauty, culture, and hospitality that make Portugal a unique destination year-round. We are proud to be part of this initiative and look forward to welcoming players and fans from around the world to the Algarve.”
“Hosting the Portugal Invitational in Vilamoura is a historic milestone for the Algarve and for Portugal. This partnership with PGA TOUR Champions further raises our destination’s international profile and confirms the Algarve as an essential reference point in European golf. The Els Club Vilamoura, now the venue for an event of this magnitude, reflects our commitment to combining quality, sustainability and reputation with a distinctive tourist offering capable of attracting elite competitions,” said André Gomes, President of the Algarve Tourism Board. “The Algarve has been Portugal's leading golf destination for decades, with around 1.5 million rounds played annually, and continues to invest in a diverse, contemporary and environmentally responsible offering. This tournament raises the bar and reflects the regional ambition to establish the Algarve as a year-round tourist destination, with a direct impact on the economy, employment and promotion of the region. We are ready to welcome the big names in golf history and show the world everything the Algarve has to offer — on and off the course.”
All three rounds of the Portugal Invitational will be televised on GOLF Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners. The Portugal Invitational will also include members of the Legends Tour through the Strategic Alliance between the PGA TOUR and the European Tour Group (DP World Tour, Hotelplanner Tour, Legends Tour and Ryder Cup Europe).
Longtime PGA TOUR executive Todd Rhinehart, who ran a number of the TOUR’s biggest events and most recently oversaw PGA TOUR Latinoamérica as Vice President and Executive Director, was announced as the Tournament Director of the Portugal Invitational.
To access and download the tournament logo and imagery from the Portugal Invitational approved for editorial use, click here. B-roll and photography from the announcement will be added throughout the day.
About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 35 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on Twitter (@ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions), and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).
All events are televised in the United States on GOLF Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.
About Arrow Global Group
Arrow Global is one of Europe’s leading vertically integrated alternative asset managers, specializing in private credit and European real estate. Founded in 2005, the group operates through 25 high-performing asset management and servicing platforms, designed to enhance operational efficiency and maximize the value of underlying assets. This model ensures a disciplined investment approach, informed underwriting, and exclusive access to off-market opportunities. Arrow’s vertical integration enables the creation of sustainable value across market cycles, spanning various alternative asset classes, including Real Estate, Direct Lending, and Opportunistic Credit. With significant European regulatory licenses, Arrow manages approximately €120 billion in third-party assets under management. Its strong track record, primarily focused on real estate-backed investments, includes over €11 billion invested over the past two decades. Arrow operates across Western Europe, with its headquarters in London and offices in cities such as Paris, Milan, Rome, Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, Amersfoort, Amsterdam, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Luxembourg, Dublin, Manchester, Leeds, and Jersey.
About Turismo de Portugal
Integrated into the Ministry of Economy and Territorial Cohesion Ministry of Economy and the Sea, Tourismo de of Portugal is the National Tourism Authority responsible for the promotion, enhancement, and sustainability of tourism activities. It consolidates all institutional competencies related to stimulating tourism in a single entity, from supply to demand. With a privileged relationship with other public entities and economic agents, both in the country and abroad, Tourismo de of Portugal is committed to fulfilling its mission of strengthening tourism as one of the pillars of growth for the Portuguese economy.
Info: turismodeportugal.pt
About Turismo de Algarve
The Algarve Tourism Board (Região de Turismo do Algarve) is the regional tourism authority, endowed with administrative and financial autonomy. It covers an area corresponding to the 16 municipalities of the Algarve. Its mission is to promote the development of tourism in the Algarve through the improvement and qualification of the territory and the promotion of the region as a tourist destination, in cooperation with the public and private sectors, for the benefit of the economy and quality of life in the region and the country as a whole. Its activities focus on strategic planning, product structuring, tourist promotion and entertainment, tourist information through its network of 20 tourist offices, as well as the management of the Algarve brand.
Info: www.turismodoalgarve.pt