Golf is often celebrated as the ultimate individual sport. Week after week, players grind it out alone, vying for trophies, rankings, and personal glory. But every two years, that dynamic changes dramatically. The Ryder Cup — named after English businessman and golf enthusiast Samuel Ryder — brings together 12 of the best golfers from Europe against 12 of the best from the United States in a high-stakes, three-day match-play showdown.
The event blends drama, camaraderie, and elite-level competition, making it one of the premier spectacles on the global sports calendar. As the 2025 edition approaches, here’s everything fans need to know.
The 2025 Ryder Cup will take place from Friday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 28.
The host venue is the Bethpage Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York, one of America’s most famous and demanding public golf courses. Known for its steep bunkers, long rough, and massive greens, Bethpage Black has a reputation as one of the toughest tests in championship golf — and its New York crowds promise to deliver an electric atmosphere.
Fans can catch every moment of the Ryder Cup on NBC, the Golf Channel, and USA Network, with streaming coverage available on Peacock.
United States Team
Six players automatically qualified through the Ryder Cup standings after the BMW Championship on Aug. 17:
- Scottie Scheffler
- Xander Schauffele
- J.J. Spaun
- Russell Henley
- Harris English
- Bryson DeChambeau
Captain Keegan Bradley filled out the roster with six captain’s picks:
- Justin Thomas
- Collin Morikawa
- Ben Griffin
- Cameron Young
- Patrick Cantlay
- Sam Burns
Europe Team
Six players qualified automatically via Ryder Cup points following the Betfred British Masters on Aug. 24:
- Rory McIlroy
- Robert MacIntyre
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Justin Rose
- Rasmus Højgaard
- Tyrrell Hatton
Captain Luke Donald selected the remaining six players:
- Shane Lowry
- Viktor Hovland
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Jon Rahm
- Sepp Straka
- Ludvig Åberg
The Ryder Cup uses match play, not traditional stroke play, across three days and 28 matches: Friday & Saturday: Four foursomes (alternate shot) and four four-ball (better ball) matches each day. Sunday: 12 head-to-head singles matches.
Each match is worth one point, with ties worth half a point. A total of 14½ points secures the Cup; if the score is 14-14, the reigning champion (Europe) retains the trophy.
Unlike most professional tournaments, the Ryder Cup offers no prize money. The U.S. team’s players receive $500,000 for competing, with $300,000 donated to charity. European players do not receive direct payment. For both sides, pride, passion, and national (or continental) pride are the real motivators.
The Ryder Cup has swung back and forth dramatically in recent years. The United States holds the overall lead in the all-time series at 27-15-2, but Europe has been dominant over the past three decades.
- 2023: Europe 16½, U.S. 11½
- 2021: U.S. 19, Europe 9
- 2018: Europe 17½, U.S. 10½
- 2016: U.S. 17, Europe 11
With Bethpage Black as the battleground, the U.S. hopes to use home-field advantage to reclaim the Cup after Europe’s victory in Rome in 2023.
Why this year feels special. Bethpage Black’s notoriously rowdy New York crowds are expected to inject even more energy into the already fiery rivalry. With stars like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Viktor Hovland squaring off against Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Bryson DeChambeau, the 2025 Ryder Cup is poised to deliver drama, emotion, and perhaps a few unforgettable moments in golf history.
