The LIV has faced a lot of criticism over debates surrounding the disruptive nature of the league. The league experienced a blow not only to its reputation but also on the financial front. Following shocking billion-dollar losses, the league is shifting its focus to the modernization of the sport. Bringing about revolution in golf, otherwise known for its tradition and resistance to change, the CEO of LIV recently shared the new direction for the league.

In an interview shared by Forward Future on X, Scott O’Neil, LIV CEO, revealed the circuit’s agenda at the moment. Positioning itself as the sport’s savior, O’Neil called for a major innovation in golf to be on top of the league’s priority list. Drawing parallels to other sports, O’Neil insisted on changes to the golfing scene as we know it. He explained:

“Well, we’re trying to change the face of sports. And so if you follow baseball or football or basketball or hockey, you know that baseball is putting a runner on second in extra innings and has a pitch clock — thought unthinkable. Basketball took away the hand check and started calling the game differently to bring the beauty and flow into the game. Hockey eliminated the penalty with a two-line pass and created three-on-three overtime. So golf is really, I think, ripe for change.”

These sports prove that adapting to the fan atmosphere matters as much as tradition when it comes to media and business. O’Neil believes rule innovations and format changes can make the sport exceptionally more thrilling in an instant. The circuit is already working on such innovations and tweaks to golf.

With its Saudi-backed 54-hole format, LIV has shaken up golf’s traditions. The format drew both criticism and curiosity, yet LIV managed to attract many of the sport’s top players.

LIV also pioneered shotgun starts and team-based formats, making matches faster and more thrilling. The quick leaderboard shifts and lively, festival-style events created a high-energy atmosphere that kept fans hooked.

O’Neil argues this gives LIV a “moral high ground,” pushing fan-centric reforms. From a business standpoint, this aligns with its growth-driven model. As he says, “We’re not going to cut our way to success. We’re going to sell our way to success.”

That means adding premium fan experiences, boosting ticket sales, and offering luxury packages. With a family-oriented focus, LIV aims to reimagine how arenas fill up and how fans connect with the sport. Here’s a look at the latest changes—and what’s next for LIV.

LIV Golf and its changing landscape

The 2025 season for LIV saw many new format tweaks and elevated events. The league began this season with 6 player debuts from countries outside the US. This reflects LIV’s interest in the global reach of the league. Moreover, certain format changes brought high-stakes and more volatile leaderboards.

All four scores of every team were counted this year throughout all the rounds. Earlier, only the final rounds put that pressure on all the team members. The first two rounds counted the top three scores instead. With this new rule change, LIV is ensuring coherent and commendable performances across the entire roster.

In addition to that, LIV added 5 new venues. Four of them were for regular-season events, while the fifth in Michigan supported the LIV Team Championship. Riyadh, Mexico City, Korea, and Indianapolis are the other venues added to the schedule. The league also signed a multi-year media rights deal with Fox Sports, expanding its broadcasting.

In the future, LIV is looking to move the Adelaide tournament from The Grange Golf Club to Kooyonga Golf Club, aiming to increase accessibility and enhance the event’s appeal. That change is planned for 2027, before another change to a new purpose-built golf course in North Adelaide in 2031.

When it comes to fan experience, the league didn’t skimp. LIV added immersive hospitality options like Club 54 and the Birdie Shack, offering gourmet dining, live music, and exclusive viewing areas. Coupled with interactive zones, meet-and-greets, and seamless digital ticketing, the events create a festival-like atmosphere that makes golf more engaging, accessible, and memorable for fans of all ages.

Clearly, LIV is a changing proponent of golf, with Scott O’Neil suggesting further changes to the league.