A total of 156 golfers are expected to compete in the 2026 Rwanda Open Golf Tournament, scheduled for September 24-27 at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas in Nyarutarama.

The tournament will be played over the venue's 18-hole course and will offer a total prize purse of Rwf2 billion.

ALSO READ: NCBA Junior Golf Series inspires Rwanda’s next golfers

The 2026 Rwanda Open will be held in partnership with the Sunshine Tour, one of Africa&039;s leading professional golf circuits and a renowned producer of world-class talent.

According to Rwanda Golf Union Vice President Innocent Rutamu, this year's tournament will be staged at a higher level, giving Rwandan golfers an opportunity to compete against stronger opposition and showcase their talent on a wider stage.

The tournament will reserve 42 slots for Rwandan golfers and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

"This is going to be a gateway not only for Rwandan golfers but also for the country, as it will allow us to show the world what Rwanda has to offer through golf," Rutamu told journalists during a press conference on Tuesday, July 28.

"Other sports, including cycling, football and basketball, have already helped put Rwanda on the global map. Now, it is our turn to showcase our talent through golf."

ALSO READ: Nsanzuwera wins 2025 Rwanda Open

Of the 156 participants, 114 will be professional golfers, while 42 slots have been reserved for local players. Five amateur golfers will also take part in the tournament.

Sunshine Tour Commissioner Thomas Abt said the strong field reflects the tour&039;s ambition to expand its footprint beyond South Africa and create more opportunities for golfers across the continent.

"Historically, the Sunshine Tour has been based in South Africa, but we are now working to expand across the continent," Abt said.

"Our focus is to create more opportunities for golfers throughout Africa and ensure that the continent has greater representation on the global stage in the future."

Rwanda's number one golfer, Celestin Nsanzuwera, will enter the tournament as the defending champion.