The announcement also marks the official start of ticket sales<\/strong> for this prestigious DP World Tour event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/presse.tirol.at\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PK-Austrian-Alpine-Open-2026-\u00a9-Kitzbuehel-Tourismus-1-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cI\u2019m very happy to return to Austria and play in our national Open again after five years,\u201d says Sepp Straka. \u201cIt was great to see the event back on the DP World Tour calendar last year, and I\u2019m delighted to include it in my 2026 schedule. It\u2019s been a while since I\u2019ve played in front of a home crowd, and so much has happened in that time. It will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate these successes with my family, friends, and fans \u2013 I can\u2019t wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Straka\u2019s appearance in Kitzb\u00fchel is the result of the tireless efforts of the Golf Enterprises GmbH<\/strong> organizing team and the DP World Tour<\/strong> management. For months, they have worked with professionalism and personal commitment to bring Austria\u2019s golf hero back home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edwin Weindorfer<\/strong>, CEO and Founder of Emotion Group \/ Golf Enterprises, explains: \u201cWe\u2019ve been working for more than six months to bring Sepp to our tournament. It didn\u2019t quite work out in Salzburg \u2013 but now our dream has come true. Sepp Straka becomes part of our vision to establish the Austrian Alpine Open presented by Kitzb\u00fchel \u2013 Tirol as the \u2018Hahnenkamm of Summer.\u2019 Following its successful premiere at GC Gut Altentann 2025<\/strong> in SalzburgerLand, Austria\u2019s biggest golf event will move as planned to Tirol in 2026<\/strong> \u2013 a partnership envisioned from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leo Bauernberger<\/strong>, CEO of SalzburgerLand Tourismus, one of the driving forces behind the DP World Tour\u2019s return to Austria, notes: \u201cThis DP World Tour event will showcase the outstanding golf experiences of Austria\u2019s Alpine regions to a global audience. The premiere in SalzburgerLand was an excellent start, and I congratulate Kitzb\u00fchel and Tirol on securing Sepp Straka \u2013 an incredible success that will be a highlight for golf fans in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mario Gerber<\/strong>, Tyrol\u2019s Minister for Economic Affairs and Tourism, also looks forward to the event: \u201cThis tournament perfectly illustrates how sporting excellence, sustainable tourism development, and economic value creation can go hand in hand. The combination of athletic passion, regional identity, and innovative event management makes the Austrian Alpine Open a true showcase for our region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the return of Austria\u2019s biggest golf event, Kitzb\u00fchel once again strengthens its reputation as the most legendary sports town in the Alps<\/strong>. Alongside the Hahnenkamm Races<\/strong> and the Generali Open<\/strong>, golf will now also take center stage with stars like Sepp Straka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Christian Harisch<\/strong>, Chairman of Kitzb\u00fchel Tourismus, states: \u201cWinning the Austrian Alpine Open as part of the DP World Tour for Kitzb\u00fchel \u2013 the golf capital of the Alps \u2013 is more than a sporting highlight. It\u2019s a strong statement for the future of Kitzb\u00fchel as a year-round alpine destination.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The venue for the 2026 Austrian Alpine Open, Golfclub Kitzb\u00fchel-Schwarzsee-Reith<\/strong>, is already shining in new splendor months ahead of the big homecoming with Sepp Straka. The course has been completely renovated with new tees, redesigned bunkers, and a state-of-the-art short-game area<\/strong>, meeting international standards while retaining Kitzb\u00fchel\u2019s unmistakable alpine character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, Golf Tirol<\/strong> presents itself as an ideal partner for the event. More than 20 golf clubs<\/strong>, including 16 partner courses<\/strong>, invite visitors to explore the most beautiful landscapes in the region. Between majestic peaks and gentle valleys, golfers will find perfectly maintained fairways and breathtaking views. The Golf Tirol Card<\/strong> opens access to all 16 premium courses \u2013 from relaxed 9-hole rounds to championship layouts at spectacular altitudes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Viktoria Veider-Walser<\/strong>, Managing Director of Kitzb\u00fchel Tourismus: \u201cWe are very proud and grateful that the Austrian Alpine Open 2026 will take place in Kitzb\u00fchel. It\u2019s a wonderful acknowledgment of the outstanding work being done daily in our region. Kitzb\u00fchel uniquely combines sporting excellence with touristic appeal \u2013 perfect conditions for a tournament of this global scale. Patricio Hetfleisch<\/strong>, Marketing Director and Authorized Officer, Tirol Werbung: \u201cThe Austrian Alpine Open will not only deliver fantastic sport but also shine an international spotlight on the region\u2019s exceptional golf offerings and Tyrol\u2019s breathtaking landscapes. The DP World Tour is one of the largest professional golf series worldwide. Moreover, the early-summer date strengthens the shoulder season and highlights our commitment to year-round tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gerhard Fr\u00fchling<\/strong>, President of the Austrian Golf Association: \u201cLast year\u2019s Austrian Alpine Open demonstrated the immense potential of Austrian golf \u2013 in sporting, organizational, and emotional terms. Hosting the 2026 edition in Kitzb\u00fchel reflects exactly the kind of momentum we want to see.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/presse.tirol.at\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Sepp-Straka-\u00a9-Getty-Images-3-1024x683.jpg\")
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We\u2019re immensely proud to present this figurehead of Austrian golf and sport to our fans. With this great news, we\u2019re launching ticket sales and expect to surpass the outstanding result from Altentann, which attracted around 18,000 fans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/presse.tirol.at\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PK-Austrian-Alpine-Open-2026-\u00a9-Kitzbuehel-Tourismus-1-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKitzb\u00fchel \u2013 The Most Legendary Sports Town in the Alps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Additional Statements<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Having a true role model like Sepp Straka with us is a great honor. The strong interest and numerous inquiries we\u2019ve already received show how powerful the Kitzb\u00fchel brand truly is.
Our thanks also go to the local team \u2013 the DP World Tour\u2019s Head Agronomist rated the course in excellent condition. Of course, there\u2019s still a lot to do, but we take on this task with great enthusiasm and motivation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The move brings new energy, partnerships, and opportunities to further strengthen golf in Austria. With its international appeal and experience hosting major sporting events, Kitzb\u00fchel provides the perfect stage to continue this success story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n