Portugal Invitational 2026: PGA Tour Champions Makes History in Vilamoura

The PGA Tour Champions is coming to Portugal. From 31 July to 2 August 2026, The Els Club Vilamoura hosts the Portugal Invitational — the first PGA Tour-sanctioned individual stroke play event on Portuguese soil, and the first PGA Tour Champions event staged anywhere in Europe.

Portugal Invitational 2026

A natural milestone for a region that has spent decades building one of the continent’s most compelling golf destinations.

What the Portugal Invitational Actually Is

The PGA Tour Champions is the professional circuit for golfers aged 50 and over — populated by Major winners and some of the most recognisable names in the modern game.

The Portugal Invitational carries a $3 million purse and a field of 78 players drawn from PGA Tour Champions members, World Golf Hall of Fame inductees, and Legends Tour players. It sits within a three-week European swing alongside the ISPS Handa Senior Open and the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship. (PGA Tour Champions official announcement)

The Field: A Who’s Who of Senior Golf

Bernhard Langer — holder of 47 PGA Tour Champions wins and six Charles Schwab Cups — heads a field that also includes three-time Major champion Pádraig Harrington, two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal, host Ernie Els, and Colin Montgomerie.

Retief Goosen, David Duval, Thomas Bjørn, and Ángel Cabrera are also confirmed. A Pro-Am is part of the week, giving amateur participants direct access to players of this calibre. (Golf Circus)

The Els Club Vilamoura: The Course at the Centre of It All

Els Club Vilamoura Portugal Invitational 2026

The Els Club occupies the former site of the Victoria Golf Course — an Arnold Palmer design that hosted the DP World Tour’s Portugal Masters from 2007 to 2022, producing winners including Shane Lowry and Pádraig Harrington.

Redesigned by Ernie Els, one nine retains its original routing while the other is an entirely new layout. The result is the fifth Els Club in the world and the first in Europe. (Golfweek via Yahoo Sports)

Why Vilamoura Was Always Going to Host Something Like This

Vilamoura is consistently ranked among the finest golf resorts in Continental Europe. Five golf courses, premium accommodation — including the recently arrived Hyatt Regency — and a food scene that takes itself seriously.

Vilamoura Marina View
Faro Airport sits 25 minutes away, with direct routes to 89 airports across 20 countries. Transfers and car hire are easily arranged. The tournament is backed by a five-year partnership between PGA Tour Champions, Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal and Turismo do Algarve — this is not a one-off. (Portugal Invitational)

Planning Around the Portugal Invitational

Tournament week runs 27 July to 2 August, with the 54-hole competition concluding on 2 August. Spectator access and ticketing details will be confirmed closer to the event.

Whether the plan is to watch the professionals and then play the same course, or simply use the tournament as the nudge to finally book that Algarve golf holiday, the summer of 2026 has handed you a rather good excuse.

GEO Certified for Vilamoura Golf: Leading the Sustainable Way

Big cheers to Vilamoura Golf! Four of its iconic courses—The Old Course, Pinhal, Millennium, and Laguna—have just bagged two of the top sustainability awards in the game: GEO Certified® and Biosphere Certified. That’s right: Vilamoura Golf fairways are officially recognised for doing good by nature while still delivering world-class golf experiences.

These aren’t just fancy titles. GEO Certified® is the gold standard in sustainable golf, given to courses that seriously walk the talk when it comes to environmental care, community support, and resource conservation. The Biosphere Certification, on the other hand, shows real commitment to the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals—so yeah, it’s a pretty big deal.

Vilamoura Golf sets the bar high, from upgraded irrigation systems to cutting back on chemicals and giving local ecosystems the love they deserve. For example, the Old Course was praised for a new energy-efficient pump station and a pine tree management program that’s helping biodiversity thrive. Millennium stood out for its water-saving efforts, and Laguna was impressed with a 20% drop in water use thanks to a smart irrigation makeover. And let’s not forget Pinhal, who was recognised for supporting youth golf education and collaborating with local groups to boost community impact.

Vilamoura Golf and Sustainability: a Guiding Principle

The Vilamoura Golf courses are managed by the platform DETAILS, where sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s a guiding principle. Co-CEO Nuno Sepúlveda emphasised how deeply the team values protecting the region’s natural beauty.

“Vilamoura has some of nature’s most stunning settings, and we feel a great weight of responsibility to make sure it not only is maintained but flourishes for generations to come”, said Sepúlveda.

“Understanding the importance of sustainability and avoiding waste of any sort is a key part of our business strategy and also increasingly important for our customers and visitors. We are grateful to receive these very prestigious accolades and are determined to ensure we continue to be the leader when it comes to setting a strong environmental agenda”, he added.

At Tee Times Golf Holidays, we’ve always been proud to offer the best golf packages in the Algarve and across Portugal—but we’re even prouder to work with destinations like Vilamoura that are investing in a greener future. Sustainability matters to us and the golfers we serve, and it’s great to see it becoming a core part of the game we love.

Ready to tee off on courses that care as much about the environment as they do about your experience? Let’s plan your next Portugal golf holiday with us.

Millennium Golf Course Set to Host the GreatGolf Junior Open

Located in the heart of Vilamoura, the Millennium Golf Course stands as one of Portugal’s premier golfing destinations for unforgettable holidays.The Millennium Golf Course is gearing up to welcome the future golf stars at the GreatGolf 2025 Junior Open on March 2nd and 3rd. Organised by the Luís Figo Foundation, this prestigious tournament will bring together talented young golfers competing in the Under 12, Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18 categories, giving them a platform to showcase their skills. Tee Times Golf Agency is one of the tournament sponsors, supporting and promoting youth golf in Portugal.

Located in the heart of Vilamoura, the Millennium Golf Course stands as one of Portugal’s premier golfing destinations. Known for its lush fairways, tree-lined holes, and immaculately maintained greens, Millennium offers a well-balanced blend of playability and challenge. Designed for golfers of all levels, the course features a mix of open landscapes and strategically demanding sections, ensuring a dynamic and rewarding playing experience.

The Millennium/Laguna Clubhouse serves as the perfect meeting point for golfers, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere from early morning to late afternoon. Its diverse menu caters to all tastes, allowing players to enjoy an energising meal before their round or unwind with a delicious selection of dishes. The clubhouse also features two Pro Shops, fully stocked with essential golf equipment and exclusive Millennium and Laguna merchandise.

Millennium Golf Course: a world-class destination

Managed by Details, Vilamoura Golf is widely recognised as a world-class destination, boasting a collection of outstanding courses, including the Old CoursePinhal, Laguna, and Millennium, each offering unique challenges and scenic beauty. Whether you are looking for a technical round or a more relaxed game, Vilamoura provides endless opportunities to refine your skills while taking in the breathtaking surroundings.

For those eager to discover this memorable golf getaway, Tee Times Golf Agency offers the best packages to experience Vilamoura’s exceptional golf scene. With over 30 years of expertise in golf travel, Tee Times ensures an unforgettable experience by providing access to top-tier golf courses, premium accommodations, and unmatched service.

As the Millennium Golf Course prepares to welcome the next generation of golf champions, now is the perfect time to discover everything this remarkable course—and Vilamoura—have to offer.