Our comprehensive guide to the FedEx Cup covers the history of the PGA Tour's season-long event, the format of the playoffs and how much prize money is awarded to the winner.
The FedEx Cup is a competition that runs through each season of the PGA Tour. The 70 players who earn the most points during the regular season qualify for a series of tournaments known as the FedEx Cup Playoffs, with the eventual winner taking home the iconic trophy.
The format can be tricky to understand for new golfing fans, but don’t worry. Our guide will explain the FedEx Cup points system, the tournament structure, and all you need to know about one of the biggest competitions in golf.
What is the FedEx Cup?
The FedEx Cup is a season-long championship in professional golf. The competition has run annually throughout every PGA Tour season since 2007.
The best performing golfers in a PGA Tour season are invited to compete for the cup, where they battle their way through three tournaments known as the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The golfer with the fewest points at the end of the final tournament, the Tour Championship, is the winner of the cup for that year.
With the FedEx Cup, golfers are rewarded for performing well throughout the regular season, leading up to a dramatic finale. Each player earns points for their performances over the course of the PGA Tour season, with the top 70 players being entered into the playoffs. It’s one of the most anticipated events on the golfing calendar, attracting top players from across the sport, and being watched by millions of fans worldwide.
How the FedEx Cup Playoffs work
The FedEx Cup Playoffs format consists of three tournament:
FedEx St. Jude Championship: 70 participants, of which 50 progress to the next round
BMW Championship: The 50 participants who progressed from the St. Jude Championship. The top 30 progress to the final round.
Tour Championship: 30 participants, of which the winner is crowned and earns $10 million.
Each tournament is played over the course of three consecutive weeks. After every event, the lowest scorers are knocked out, ultimately leaving just 30 competitors in the Tour Championship.
Unsurprisingly, the top players in the overall FedEx Cup standings typically top the golf betting odds ahead of the Tour Championship, given their head start over the competition.
FedEx Cup points explained
If a golfer is a member of the PGA Tour, and has earned enough FedEx Cup points during the regular season, they’re eligible for the playoffs – but how does the FedEx Cup work out who earns these points?
Different tournaments throughout the PGA Tour season award points to the players who performed the best. The number of points given out can vary by the event:
Standard PGA Tour events earn the winner 500 FedEx Cup Points.
A World Golf Championship event earns the winner 550 FedEx Cup points.
A major championship (i.e. the US Open or PGA Championship) earns the winner 600 FedEx Cup points.
At the end of the regular season, the 70 players with the most points earn a spot in the playoffs. The winners of the first two playoff tournaments (the St. Jude Championship and BMW Championship) each win a further 2000 FedEx Cup points. Eventually, the winner of the Tour Championship earns the FedEx Cup and the prize money
How to follow the FedEx Cup
The FedEx Cup is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world, featuring top players from the PGA Tour. If you’re a golf enthusiast and want to stay updated on all the action, here’s how you can follow the FedEx Cup.
Watching the FedEx Cup on television and online:
Television coverage of the FedEx Cup is provided by various sports networks, including Sky Sports and the Golf Channel. These networks offer comprehensive coverage of the tournament, including live broadcasts of key events and highlights of each round. To catch all the action on TV, check your local listings or subscribe to a sports package that includes these channels.
If you prefer to watch the FedEx Cup online, it can be streamed on Peacock and with PGA Tour Live on ESPN+.
FedEx Cup schedule 2025:
If you’re looking to catch the action of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, here are the key dates you won’t want to miss:
FedEx St. Jude Championship: Thursday 7th August – Sunday 10th August
BMW Championship: Thursday 14th August – Sunday 17th August
Tour Championship: Thursday 21st August – Sunday 24th August
Betting tips and odds available at Betway:
With all the top golf betting markets available, Betway is your #1 destination for tips and odds. You can keep up with all the latest news on Betway Insider, with golf tips on all the top tournaments like the FedEx Cup Playoffs and PGA Championship. No matter how you like to play, Betway offers up-to-date and competitive odds, with gambling safety tools to make sure you have the best experience possible.
Alternatively, stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app! Download it now from the Play Store or the App Store to enjoy live betting, real-time updates, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips.
