Masters 2026 Coverage Begins Thursday Amid High Anticipation
Masters 2026 Coverage Begins Thursday Amid High Anticipation...
The 2026 Masters Tournament coverage begins Thursday, April 13, at Augusta National Golf Club, with ESPN and CBS sharing broadcast rights. Golf fans across the U.S. are searching for start times as the first major championship of the year draws record interest following Tiger Woods' surprise practice rounds.
Live coverage starts at 8:00 a.m. ET on ESPN for the opening rounds Thursday and Friday, with CBS taking over weekend coverage at 3:00 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday. The tournament coincides with peak spring weather across much of the country, driving higher than usual early interest in the event.
Augusta National confirmed Wednesday that Woods remains in the field despite recent injury concerns. The 50-year-old golf legend's potential final Masters appearance has sparked a 37% increase in ticket resale prices compared to 2025, according to secondary market data.
Featured group coverage will stream on Masters.com and the ESPN+ platform throughout the tournament. CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus told reporters Tuesday that production crews have installed 25 new cameras to capture Augusta's iconic azaleas at peak bloom.
Viewership projections suggest this could be the most-watched Masters since 2019, when Woods' last victory drew 10.8 million average viewers. Sports media analysts attribute the surge to pent-up demand after last year's rain-shortened event and the potential for historic storylines.
Local businesses in Augusta, Georgia report hotel occupancy rates near 98% through Sunday. The tournament's economic impact on the region is estimated at $120 million, according to the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Golf Channel's "Live From the Masters" pre-tournament show continues through Wednesday night, featuring player interviews and course conditions updates. Tournament organizers have implemented modified security protocols this year, including expanded bag check areas and new drone detection systems.
