If you’re a golf fan, your internal clock basically starts ticking the second the calendar flips to January. You’re waiting for the West Coast Swing to hit its peak. Specifically, you're waiting for Riviera. It’s arguably the best non-major stop on the entire PGA Tour schedule. So, when is the Genesis Invitational exactly?
For 2026, the tournament is slated to take place from February 12th through February 15th.
Mark those dates. Seriously.
The Genesis isn't just another stop where guys in polos hunt birdies. It’s one of the "Signature Events." That means a smaller field, way more money, and basically every top-20 player in the world showing up to battle the "Hogan’s Alley" layout in Pacific Palisades. Plus, it’s Tiger Woods’ tournament. Even if he’s just there to hand out the trophy, the energy is different.
The 2026 Schedule Breakdown
The week actually starts before the Thursday first round. You’ve got the Collegiate Showcase and practice rounds earlier in the week, usually starting Monday, February 9th. But the real heat—the stuff you'll see on CBS—kicks off on the 12th.
Riviera Country Club is a beast. It’s not like those desert courses where you can just bomb it anywhere and find a flat lie. Here, the Kikuyu grass will absolutely eat your ball alive if you miss the fairway. You’ve got the famous par-4 10th hole, which is probably the best short par-4 in the world. Some guys try to drive the green; others lay up and still walk away with a bogey. It’s pure chaos in the best way possible.
The timing is intentional. Sitting right in mid-February, it serves as the bridge between the early-season rust-shaking and the frantic build-up to The Masters in April. By the time the final group walks up the 18th hole on Sunday, February 15th, we usually have a very clear picture of who the "Man to Beat" is for the rest of the spring.
Why This Specific Date Matters for the Signature Event Status
The PGA Tour changed everything a couple of years ago. They had to. With the pressure from LIV Golf and the need to keep the stars playing together, the "Signature Event" model was born.
When is the Genesis Invitational scheduled? It’s strategically placed after the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and before the Florida swing. Because it has this status, the purse is massive—we’re talking $20 million total, with $4 million going to the winner.
Honestly, the field is the main draw. You aren't getting the 144-man grind here. It’s a limited field, usually around 70 to 80 players. It’s the best of the best. Seeing Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Viktor Hovland navigate the tricky poa annua greens at Riviera is a masterclass in frustration management.
The Tiger Woods Factor
Let’s be real. Most people asking about the dates are really asking: "When can I see Tiger?"
As the tournament host, Tiger Woods is the face of the event. His TGR Live organization runs the show. Whether his back and ankle allow him to play four full rounds is always the million-dollar question. In recent years, we’ve seen him use this event as his seasonal debut. It makes sense. He loves the course, even though, weirdly enough, it’s one of the few places he’s never actually won a PGA Tour event as a pro.
There is a certain irony there. The greatest player of our generation hosts a tournament at a course that has historically stumped him.
If he plays, expect the crowds to be ten deep. If he doesn't play, he's still there on the broadcast, in the booth, and standing on the 18th green on Sunday. His presence elevates the Genesis from a standard golf tournament to a cultural event in Los Angeles.
Navigating Riviera: A Fan's Perspective
If you’re planning on actually going to Pacific Palisades in February, you need to prepare for the logistics. L.A. traffic is a nightmare. Parking near the course is non-existent. You’ll likely be taking a shuttle from near Santa Monica or using a ride-share.
The weather in mid-February is usually "chamber of commerce" perfect—72 degrees and sunny. But don't get fooled. Once that sun dips behind the canyon walls late in the afternoon, the temperature drops fast. Bring a light pullover.
Key Spots to Watch
- The 1st Tee: It’s one of the most iconic starts in golf. Players tee off from high above the fairway, hitting down into a massive valley. It’s a par 5, so almost everyone starts their day with a birdie look.
- The 10th Green: Just park yourself there. You will see eagles, and you will see "others." It’s a psychological grind for the players.
- The 18th Fairway: Walking up that hill toward the clubhouse is iconic. The natural amphitheater created by the canyon makes the Sunday roars sound like a football stadium.
Misconceptions About the Genesis
Some people still call it the "L.A. Open." While that’s technically its lineage, the Genesis Invitational is its own beast now. It’s no longer just a "stop" on the tour. It has elevated status, similar to Jack Nicklaus’s Memorial Tournament or Arnold Palmer’s event at Bay Hill.
Another thing people get wrong is the cut. Because it’s a Signature Event, the cut rules have been a point of contention. Currently, the Genesis maintains a 36-hole cut for the top 50 players and ties, or anyone within 10 strokes of the lead. This keeps the weekend drama high while ensuring the big names have a better chance of sticking around for the fans.
TV and Streaming: How to Catch the Action
If you aren't in Southern California, you’re tethered to your screen. Usually, the coverage is split between Golf Channel for the early rounds and CBS for the weekend.
Streaming has become the best way to watch, though. ESPN+ carries the "Main Feed" and "Featured Groups." If you want to watch every single shot Tiger hits (assuming he’s in the field), the Featured Group coverage is your best friend.
The Impact on the FedEx Cup
By the time February 12th rolls around, the FedEx Cup standings are starting to take shape. Winning at Riviera provides a massive 700-point boost. That’s more than a standard tour event. A win here basically punches your ticket to the Tour Championship in East Lake at the end of the year.
It’s also a huge week for the "Aon Next 10" and "Aon Swing 5"—the systems the Tour uses to let hot players play their way into these big-money events. It’s a meritocracy. If you’re playing well in January, you get to test your mettle against the giants in February.
What to Expect in 2026
Expect the course to be firm. The USGA and the PGA Tour have been leaning into tougher setups lately. Riviera doesn't need much help to be hard, but if they get a dry winter, those greens will be like putting on glass.
We’re also seeing a shift in how players approach the 10th hole. With modern technology, more guys are taking the "aggressive" line, but the misses are getting more penal. Watching a pro golfer try to hit a delicate flop shot out of thick Kikuyu grass while a thousand people watch from three feet away is the peak of the sport.
Final Logistics Check
To recap: When is the Genesis Invitational?
- Dates: February 12–15, 2026.
- Location: Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, CA.
- Defending Talent: Expect the full slate of top-ranked pros.
- Watch for: The weather, the 10th hole, and Tiger’s health status.
If you are planning to buy tickets, do it early. Since the move to Signature Event status, the daily grounds passes sell out much faster than they used to. The "Greenside @ 17" or "Clubhouse" tickets are pricey but offer a reprieve from the L.A. sun.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're serious about following the action, don't just wait for the Sunday broadcast. Download the PGA Tour app and set alerts for "Featured Groups" about two days before the tournament starts. This allows you to see the exact tee times. If Tiger is playing, his tee time will dictate the entire schedule of the sports world that day.
For those traveling, book your stay in Santa Monica or Brentwood. It’s as close as you can get to the gates without having a member’s locker. Check the shuttle schedules on the official Genesis Invitational website at least 48 hours before you head out. Most of the "public" parking is actually several miles away, and you don't want to be wandering around Sunset Blvd looking for a gate that doesn't exist.
Focus on the Thursday/Friday rounds if you want to actually see the golfers. Saturday and Sunday are great for atmosphere, but Friday is the best day for pure golf junkies. You get to see the full field, the cut-line tension, and the players are generally a bit more accessible before the weekend pressure cooks.
Track the "Road to the Genesis" through the January tournaments like the Sentry and the American Express. Whoever is putting well on the West Coast poa greens in January usually carries that momentum right into the gates of Riviera.
Stay tuned to the official injury reports regarding Tiger Woods starting in late January. His announcement usually drops on a Monday or Tuesday via social media, and that single post will determine the ticket prices on the secondary market for the rest of the week.