Simmons Bank Championship Begins in Little Rock

The annual golf tournament launches as the first event of the PGA Tour Champions Playoff.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Golf

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a golfer mid-swing on a fairway, capturing the energy of the Simmons Bank Championship in Little Rock. — The Simmons Bank Championship officially began in Little Rock on Wednesday, serving as the opening event for the 2026 PGA Tour Champions Playoff. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Simmons Bank Championship has officially kicked off in Little Rock, marking the third year the city has hosted this PGA Tour Champions Playoff event. Fifty-four of the top players in the standings are competing in the tournament as it enters its primary rounds.

Why it matters

The event serves as a significant promotional tool for Little Rock to attract prospective residents while functioning as a major vehicle for local charitable giving. Organizers continue to leverage the championship to support dozens of community organizations across the central Arkansas region.

A field of 54 top-ranked players is competing for the title, following a two-year period where the tournament distributed nearly $800,000 to over 30 local charities. These figures represent the tournament's charitable reach within central Arkansas since its inception.

The players

PGA Tour Champions

This is a professional golf tour for players aged 50 and older that manages a series of playoff tournaments.

Simmons Bank

This financial institution serves as the title sponsor for the championship tournament held in Arkansas.

The details

The championship schedule features professional practice rounds, caddy shootouts, and Pro-Ams, alongside community-focused programming like a college game-day tailgate and Halloween-themed trick-or-treating. Competition rounds for the playoff event are scheduled from October 30 through November 1, 2026.

October 26, 2026: Simmons Bank Championship week events began.
October 28, 2026: Championship Pro-Ams were held.
October 30, 2026: Championship Pro-Ams took place.
October 30 - November 1, 2026: The main tournament competition rounds occur.

Season Trajectory

As the inaugural event of the PGA Tour Champions Playoff, this tournament heavily influences the standings and momentum for the remainder of the postseason. The competition dictates which players will advance and maintain their positioning in the race for the season title.

The field is strictly limited to the top 54 players in the current standings, determining the initial cut for the playoff series. Fans and fantasy players should track the specific performance of these 54 participants, as their results will finalize the bracket for subsequent playoff rounds.

The takeaway

The tournament highlights how major sporting events can integrate community outreach with high-level professional competition. Residents can expect ongoing community engagement and local economic activity throughout the duration of the playoff event.