The Barracuda Championship, a staple local golf tournament since 1999, was excluded from the PGA Tour‘s announced 2026 schedule, raising concerns about its future. The tournament is currently in search of a new title sponsor after ending its 12-year partnership with Barracuda Networks, a Silicon Valley-based security company, following the July 2025 event.
The PGA Tour revealed its slate of tournaments on Tuesday morning, and the Barracuda did not make the initial cut. While this exclusion is a worrying indicator, it does not confirm the tournament‘s permanent removal, as organizers continue efforts to secure major sponsorship to remain on the tour.
Challenges of Maintaining Tour Status Without a Title Sponsor
The Barracuda Championship, which transitioned from Reno’s Montrêux Golf and Country Club to the Old Greenwood Golf Course in Truckee in 2020, has struggled to secure a title sponsor since Barracuda Networks declined to renew their deal before this year’s tournament. Tournament director Chris Hoff emphasized that a title sponsor, with financial contributions exceeding $1 million, is essential for the tournament’s continuation on the PGA Tour.
It would be very difficult without a title partner to have the tournament is the best way to put it,
Hoff said in July.
The PGA Tour, as we have all seen over the last few years, is an evolving organization. The majority of it is now a for-profit entity owned mostly by the players, which is a rarity. It’s a different game, but it’s one that we have been proud to be part of for now 27 years, and we look forward to the opportunity to remain a part of it. The team here, we are bullish about the future, by all means.
—Chris Hoff, Tournament Director
Historically, the Barracuda Championship has faced challenges related to its schedule slot, often played opposite a major PGA Tour event, which affects the quality of the playing field. This year, it coincided with the British Open. Notably, the same calendar spot for 2026 has been reassigned to the Corales Puntacana Championship, now moved from April to July and held in the Dominican Republic.
Potential Schedule Shifts Dependent on Sponsorship Success
Though the Barracuda Championship is currently off the 2026 schedule, it may return if a title sponsor is found. Discussions have suggested a possible move to June, coinciding with the Travelers Championship, which follows the U.S. Open by one week. This repositioning could improve the tournament’s visibility and player participation.
There hasn’t been a firm deadline yet,
Hoff said in July regarding securing a sponsor.
Yes, they usually do announce the schedule toward the end of the season, end of playoffs, maybe right after the playoffs. It kind of all depends on how many moving parts there are within the schedule, but I don’t think necessarily the schedule announcement is any sort of deadline. It would sure be nice to be ahead of that, but no firm date as of yet.
—Chris Hoff, Tournament Director
Originally known as the Reno-Tahoe Open, the tournament struggled to maintain a consistent title sponsor during its first 15 years, lacking one in 12 of those seasons. Its first official sponsorship came from the Legends at Sparks Marina in 2008-09. The tournament achieved a stable six-year partnership with Barracuda Networks starting in 2014, which extended until 2025, marking one of the longest-running sponsorships in PGA Tour history.
A Platform for Emerging Golf Talent
The Barracuda Championship has built a reputation as a springboard for young golfers, often crowning first-time winners. Among its notable champions are Collin Morikawa and Gary Woodland, both of whom went on to claim major championships. This year’s title went to Ryan Gerard, who became the ninth first-time winner in the last ten Barracuda Championships, reinforcing the event‘s role in introducing rising stars.
Hoff noted that the PGA Tour remains committed to maintaining a presence in the Tahoe region, reflecting the importance of the area for professional golf and local fans. He believes that support from both the Tour and players keeps the tournament viable despite current challenges.
They want to see professional golf stay in Northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe, Northern California, that’s for sure,
Hoff stated.
And I think they hear it from their players week in and week out. So, whatever they can do to help, I know they will. We have 27 years track record. The Tour and specifically the players love coming out here, and that’s reflected, I think, in our strength of field. We’ve had over 12 years with Barracuda. I would say that’s a longer-than-average lifespan of a title sponsor, which indicates the tournament works for them. It indicates that we are doing the right things for them. And if it’s not going to work for them, I feel there’s a good chance that it could work for somebody else.
—Chris Hoff, Tournament Director
Future Possibilities Beyond the PGA Tour
Should the Barracuda Championship fail to secure a sponsor and continue as a PGA Tour event, it may still persist as part of other golf circuits such as the Korn Ferry Tour, LPGA Tour, or Champions Tour. However, efforts are primarily focused on preserving its status on the main PGA Tour, given its long-standing significance to the region and contribution to professional golf.
The Barracuda Championship‘s future hinges largely on its ability to attract substantial sponsorship, adapt its schedule to avoid overlapping with major tournaments, and maintain its reputation as a proving ground for new golfing talent. The next several months will be critical as organizers work toward securing a sustainable path forward within the evolving landscape of professional golf.