Spain becomes the first country in Continental Europe to host the Ryder Cup twice
The 2031 Ryder Cup will see Europe and the United States go head-to-head at Camiral, Costa Brava’s premier golf and wellness resort, just outside Barcelona.
It will be the first time the venue has staged golf’s most celebrated team event — and only the second time Spain has hosted it, following the legendary 1997 contest at Valderrama, when Seve Ballesteros captained Europe to victory..
A Historic Return to Spain
Spain will become the first country in Continental Europe to host the Ryder Cup twice, underlining the nation’s deep-rooted golfing heritage.
Since Continental European players first joined Team Europe in 1979, 11 Spaniards have competed — the second-highest tally of any European nation after England.
Icons such as Ballesteros, José María Olazábal, Sergio García, Jon Rahm, and Miguel Ángel Jiménez have all left their mark on the event, with Garcia holding the all-time Ryder Cup points record at 28½.
The decision to award the event to Camiral follows in the footsteps of upcoming Ryder Cup hosts Bethpage Black (2025), Adare Manor (2027), and Hazeltine National (2029).
Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive of the European Tour Group, called the announcement “recognition of Camiral as one of Europe’s leading venues” and praised the role Spanish golf has played in the event’s history.
Today’s announcement not only recognises Camiral as one of Europe’s leading venues, but also the considerable contribution Spanish golf has made to the proud history of the Ryder Cup.
Costa Brava and Barcelona on the Global Stage
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Costa Brava coastline and Barcelona’s vibrant culture, the 2031 Ryder Cup is expected to draw thousands of international visitors and millions of television viewers.
The region has a proven track record of hosting major sporting spectacles, from the 1992 Olympic Games to the Spanish Grand Prix, MotoGP Catalunya, and football at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou.
For local and regional leaders, the Ryder Cup is about more than just sport. Catalonia’s Minister for Sports, Berni Álvarez, described it as “one of the most globally impactful sporting events,” with plans for a comprehensive legacy programme to promote golf, boost tourism, and implement sustainable initiatives across the region.
The event will also benefit from strong commercial backing.
Estrella Damm, the Barcelona-based brewer founded in 1876, will serve as the Official Beer of the 2031 Ryder Cup and title sponsor of the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship on the DP World Tour from 2026–2030, with three of those tournaments staged at Camiral.
Camiral’s Rise to the Top
Opened in 1999 and acquired by Irish businessman Denis O’Brien in 2008, Camiral has established itself as Spain’s number one golf and wellness resort.
Formerly known as PGA Catalunya, it boasts two championship courses, including the renowned Stadium Course, and has hosted multiple DP World Tour events and the Qualifying School Final Stage for nine consecutive years.
Located just five minutes from Girona-Costa Brava Airport and one hour from Barcelona, the 540-hectare estate features the PGA NATIONAL Golf Academy, Europe’s largest TrackMan range, and the continent’s largest short-game area — making it an ideal Ryder Cup venue.
Denis O’Brien said hosting the event was “the realisation of a long-held dream” that would bring both immediate and long-term economic benefits to the region.
Juan Guerrero-Burgos, President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, echoed the sentiment, noting that the 1997 Ryder Cup had a transformative effect on Spanish golf, inspiring new generations and expanding public access to the sport.
As Spain prepares to welcome the world once again, the 2031 Ryder Cup promises to combine top-level competition with the rich sporting, cultural, and culinary appeal of Catalonia — and will undoubtedly add another chapter to the country’s remarkable Ryder Cup legacy.
