PGA TOUR to Return to Asheville, Symbolizing Post-Hurricane Recovery
Photo Credit: Explore Asheville
Skift Take
A year after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, the region has secured a new PGA TOUR tournament event on a four-year agreement.
The PGA TOUR is returning to Asheville, North Carolina, for the first time in more than 80 years with a new tournament: the Biltmore Championship, scheduled for September 17–20, 2026.
The event marks a defining moment in the city’s recovery following Hurricane Helene, which struck western North Carolina last September, unleashing catastrophic flooding, record rainfall, and widespread destruction. Recovery efforts began immediately and have continued steadily through 2024 and 2025. By September 2025, Explore Asheville reported that around 90% of its partner businesses had reopened.
Under a four-year partnership, Biltmore Estate and Explore Asheville will serve as co-title sponsors of the event. The Biltmore Championship will take place at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, a private Jack Nicklaus-designed course in Arden, minutes from Asheville Regional Airport.
The Biltmore Championship will feature more than 100 professional golfers and is expected to attract thousands of spectators that will generate millions in direct local spending. Other North Carolina PGA TOUR events have delivered substantial economic returns: the Truist Championship in Charlotte has generated $40–50 million, while the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro has contributed approximately $30 million in economic impact.
A Major Opportunity for Planners
Beyond its sports significance, the new tournament opens the door to fresh opportunities for brands and planners working with them. PGA Tour events are renowned for premium hospitality experiences, ideal for executive retreats, client entertainment, and incentive programs.
Similar to other tour events, the Biltmore Championship will offer private suites for 20–200 guests, skyboxes overlooking signature holes, and exclusive club spaces.
The region offers more than 9,200 hotel rooms across 88 properties, including major meeting venues like the Omni Grove Park Inn with 86,000 square feet of event space while the Harrah’s Cherokee Center–Asheville offers 25,000 square feet of exhibit space downtown.
Asheville Regional Airport completed a $400 million expansion this year, including a new North Concourse with seven gates and modern amenities.
