LIV Golf shutdown ends Adelaide tournament and planned course moves

LIV Golf’s decision to wind down operations has brought Adelaide’s tournament to an end after four editions, abandoning its planned move to Kooyonga and removing a major future event from the $45 million North Adelaide Golf Course redevelopment.

The league confirmed it would begin an orderly shutdown after a proposed US$300 million rescue investment from BC Partners fell through. The failed restructuring followed the withdrawal of funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, leaving LIV without the backing required to launch its proposed 2027 competition.

For Adelaide, the collapse ends an event that attracted some of the largest crowds on Australia’s golfing calendar.

The inaugural tournament at The Grange Golf Club recorded 77,076 attendances in 2023, followed by 94,327 in 2024 and 102,483 in 2025. Attendance reached 115,000 in February 2026, when the tournament expanded to four days, including a Saturday crowd of 38,500. These figures represent cumulative attendances across each tournament, rather than individual visitors.

The Grange hosted all four Adelaide editions, combining tournament golf with temporary spectator stands, hospitality areas and concerts. The event’s distinctive atmosphere helped establish Adelaide as one of LIV’s most prominent stops.

Its next chapter was already mapped out. Kooyonga Golf Club was scheduled to host the fifth edition from 18-21 March 2027, providing a transition before the tournament moved to the redeveloped North Adelaide course in 2028. Adelaide had been secured as LIV’s exclusive Australian host through at least 2031.

Kooyonga had already sought legal protection as uncertainty surrounding the league increased.

In September, the club filed a motion with the US Bankruptcy Court seeking an order requiring LIV to confirm by 6 November whether its hosting agreement would proceed. It also sought protection for preparation expenses and bookings it could not accept while holding the course for the tournament.

The longer-term infrastructure implications centre on North Adelaide Golf Course, where the planned LIV move formed a significant part of the redevelopment’s major-event ambitions.

The $45 million project includes a new championship course designed by Greg Norman Golf Course Design, together with upgraded practice facilities and a driving range. The venue is intended to remain available for public golf outside tournament periods.

Construction on the South Course began in April, with works also commencing in Park 27A on 1 October. The construction program includes fairway earthworks, irrigation, landscaping and new golf cart and walking paths.

LIV’s departure removes a planned recurring tournament from the course’s future calendar, but the redevelopment has a separate commitment to host the Australian Open.

As previously reported by Austadiums, the agreement provides for three men’s and three women’s Australian Opens between 2028 and 2034, beginning with the men’s championship in 2028. Those events provide a major tournament role for the upgraded public venue beyond LIV.

Adelaide will also retain an international golf event next March, with Royal Adelaide Golf Club hosting the Women’s Australian Open from 11–14 March 2027. The tournament is jointly sanctioned by the WPGA Tour of Australasia and Ladies European Tour.

Elsewhere, Australia’s upcoming golf calendar includes the Australian PGA Championship at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney from 26-29 November, followed by the men’s Australian Open at Kingston Heath in Melbourne from 3-6 December.

Rory McIlroy, Cameron Smith and Adam Scott are confirmed for Kingston Heath, ensuring Australian spectators still have opportunities to watch leading players despite the loss of LIV’s Adelaide tournament.