Solheim Cup 2026: All you need to know as Europe host US at Bernardus Golf

All you need to know as Europe gets ready to host the United States in the 20th edition of the Solheim Cup at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. The 20th edition of the Solheim Cup takes place between 11-13 September as Europe host the United States at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. Europe are looking to regain the trophy after losing 15½-12½ in Virginia two years ago in the biggest team competition in women's golf. BBC Sport will have live radio commentary on 5 Live Sports Extra 3 across all three days - which is now also available via most smart speakers - and daily highlights on television. There will also be live text commentary, video highlights, reaction and analysis on the BBC Sport website and mobile app. The Solheim Cup will begin with foursome matches on Friday The Solheim Cup is a biennial match that is played over three days, between two teams of 12 women from Europe and the United States. It is named in honour of the Norwegian-American golf club manufacturer Karsten Solheim and his wife Louise, who have sponsored the event since its inaugural contest in 1990, and have also played a huge part in supporting the women's game over the past 50 years. The US have won the trophy 11 times, Europe have won seven and there has been one tie - the dramatic 14-14 draw at Finca Cortesin in Spain in 2023. Anna Nordqvist and Angela Stanford have both previously served as assistant captains Both teams are under new leadership, with Anna Nordqvist captaining Europe and Angela Stanford, who has served as an assistant captain three times, taking the helm for the United States. Three-time major champion Nordqvist, who announced her retirement as a player in August, will be assisted by fellow Swede Caroline Hedwall and Dutch golfer Anne van Dam. Mel Reid also be part of Nordqvist's staff after previously taking on a similar role for Catriona Matthew in 2019 at Gleneagles and Suzann Pettersen at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, two years ago. Kristy McPherson, Paula Creamer and Brittany Lang, who all played in the 2009 edition with Stanford, make up the backroom team for the United States. With English pair Lottie Woad and Charley Hull in their ranks Europe go into the contest boasting more players inside the top 10 in the world than their opponents. They are joined by France's Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda of Spain, Germany's Esther Henseleit and Swedish duo Maja Stark and Linn Grant and Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen. Ireland's Leona Maguire, Spain's Julia Lopez Ramirez, France's Nastasia Nadaud and England's Mimi Rhodes compete the line-up for Europe. In Nelly Korda, the United States can field the current world number one, who has won two major championships this season. Korda, who triumphed at the Chevron Championship in April and the US Women's Open in June, was an automatic qualifier for the 12-strong team alongside Angel Yin, Jennifer Kupcho, Yealimi Noh, Auston Kim, Lauren Coughlin and Allisen Corpuz. Andrea Lee and Alison Lee will also feature for the US by virtue of their places in the world rankings, while Stanford named Megan Khang, Rose Zhang and Lindy Duncan as her captain's picks. There will be 28 matchplay matches over three days in foursomes, fourballs and singles. Each match is worth one point with half a point awarded to both teams if they are tied. The team who gets to 14½ points first wins the Solheim Cup outright. As current holders, the US will retain the trophy if the contest was to end in a 14-14 draw. - there are four matches, played in pairs, on Friday and Saturday. Each pair uses one ball hitting alternate shots with the lowest score on each hole winning. - there are four matches, played in pairs, on Friday and Saturday. All four players use their own ball The lowest scoring ball on each hole from each side is taken. What is the weather forecast? Temperatures will peak at around 21C over the three days of competition on the heathland course that only opened in 2018. However, there is also a strong likelihood of showers and breezy conditions which will provide an added layer of difficulty on a course that demands precision. How to follow the Solheim Cup on the BBC06:30-17:00:Live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3 and BBC Sport website and app