U-Next Secures LPGA tour Rights in Landmark Streaming Deal, Boosting Women’s Golf in Japan
Table of Contents
U-next, a leading Japanese streaming service, has secured exclusive broadcasting rights for all international LPGA Tour events beginning with the 2026 campaign, in a deal hailed as the “largest international streaming partnership in LPGA history.” The agreement encompasses coverage of all five women’s golf majors – The Chevron Championship, the Women’s PGA Championship, the US Women’s Championship, the Evian Championship, and the Women’s Open – substantially expanding U-Next’s already robust golf portfolio.
Expanding Golf Coverage for Japanese Viewers
The partnership aims to bring the excitement of the LPGA Tour and its international stars to a wider Japanese audience.According to a statement from the LPGA, the collaboration will foster a deeper connection between Japanese fans and the world’s top golfers, while also contributing to the growth of women’s professional golf both in Japan and globally.
In 2025, the LPGA Tour showcased a strong contingent of Japanese talent, including Miyu Yamashita, the reigning rookie of the year, alongside Mao Saigo, Rio Takeda, and Akie Iwai. These players consistently ranked among the top 10 on the tour’s player of the year leaderboard, demonstrating Japan’s rising prominence in the sport. Notably, Japan was the most represented country on the 2025 LPGA Tour outside of the United states and South Korea, with six Japanese golfers securing victories throughout the season.
U-Next Becomes a Golfing Hub
This deal solidifies U-Next’s position as the premier destination for golf fans in Japan. The streaming service already holds the rights to all men’s golf majors, meaning it will now be the exclusive Japanese home for all nine elite golf events. beyond the majors and the LPGA Tour, U-Next also broadcasts the men’s PGA Tour, Europe’s DP World Tour, the Ladies european Tour, and the domestic Ladies PGA Tour of Japan.
Furthermore,U-Next has invested in the future of golf with rights to the TGL,a tech-infused golf series co-founded by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.
New Subscription Package for Golf Enthusiasts
To accommodate its expanding golf offerings, U-Next has launched the “World Golf Pack,” a new paid subscription bundle priced at 2,600 yen per month ($16.70). This package provides subscribers with video-on-demand access to archived tournaments and exclusive coverage of major tour events.
Why: U-Next, a Japanese streaming service, secured exclusive broadcasting rights for all international LPGA Tour events. This move aims to increase the visibility of women’s golf in japan and globally.
who: The key players are U-Next, the LPGA Tour, and Japanese golfers like Miyu Yamashita, Mao Saigo, Rio Takeda, and Akie Iwai.
What: U-Next has entered into a “largest international streaming partnership” with the LPGA, gaining exclusive rights to broadcast all international events, including the five women’s majors, starting in 2026. They also launched a “World Golf Pack” subscription for $16.70/month.
How did it end?: The
