The internet invitational 2026 roster brings together 64 competitors from the worlds of golf, online entertainment, professional sports, and social media for a high-profile team competition with $4 million in prize money. The second edition features four captains, a diverse collection of golf creators, and several well-known athletes competing across six YouTube episodes. With the opening rounds complete, attention is shifting toward the remaining teams and the championship scheduled for November 12, 2026.
A Bigger Competition With More at Stake
The 2026 tournament builds on the success of its inaugural season, which introduced audiences to a competitive format combining golf with internet personalities and sports entertainment.
This year’s field has increased to 64 participants, compared with 48 in 2025. The announced prize pool has also climbed from $1 million to $4 million, making the new edition a significantly larger event.
The competition was filmed at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri, during August. Episodes began appearing on YouTube on October 26, with new installments scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.
Rather than following a traditional professional golf tournament format, the series emphasizes team matchups, individual partnerships, dramatic finishes, and personalities familiar to online audiences.
Meet the Four Team Captains
Four experienced golfers lead the original teams. Their selections brought together established golf creators, sports commentators, athletes, and entertainment figures.
Peter Finch — Blue Team
Peter Finch leads a team featuring several familiar faces from golf media. His original lineup included Rick Shiels, Luke Kwon, Martin Borgmeier, Roger Steele, and Francis Ellis.
The group also featured Frankie Borrelli, Jersey Jerry, Joey Cold Cuts, Josh Kelley, Jason Williams, Trent Ryan, Malosi Togisala, Short Game King, Cassandra Marie, and The Jet.
Finch’s team entered the opening rounds with a strong mix of golf experience and entertainment appeal. However, the squad was eliminated after its matchup against Ryan Ruffels’ team ended in a tie and went to a playoff.
Ryan Ruffels — White Team
Ryan Ruffels assembled a team that included Grant Horvat, Paige Spiranac, Fat Perez, Micah Morris, and Bubbie Broders.
Other original members were Big John, Marissa Wenzler, Ryan Whitney, Justin Gaethje, Jon Gruden, Riggs, Jake Adams, Bobby Ray, Salim, and The Duke.
The lineup combines golf-focused creators with recognizable personalities from professional sports. Ruffels’ squad survived its opening contest after a dramatic playoff, securing a place in the next stage.
Brad Dalke — Red Team
Brad Dalke returned after winning the inaugural competition in 2025. His team included Tyler Toney of Dude Perfect, former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel, hockey personality Paul Bissonnette, and former NHL player Keith Yandle.
The remaining players were Taco, Daltoosh, Karol Priscilla, Mason Nutt, Hailey Rae Ostrom, Garrett Clark, DOD King, Sara Winter, Andrew Santino, Josh Richards, Cole Lantz, and Seb Carmichael-Brown.
Dalke’s return attracted interest because of his previous championship success. Nevertheless, his team lost its opening matchup against Wesley Bryan’s squad and was eliminated before the later rounds.
Wesley Bryan — Green Team
Wesley Bryan leads a team featuring his brother George Bryan, along with Mac Boucher, Claire Hogle, Tisha Alyn, and Robby Berger.
Other members of the original group included Chaz Bowker, Sabrina Andolpho, Evan Thompson, Sam Heung Min, Cheddy, Kyle Forgeard, Callux, PFT Commenter, and Cole Lantz’s fellow golf and entertainment personalities.
The team advanced after defeating Brad Dalke’s Red Team. Its opening performance established Wesley Bryan as one of the captains still in contention for the championship.
The Most Recognizable Names in the Field
The tournament’s appeal extends beyond golfers who regularly appear in online videos. Its participants include personalities with backgrounds in football, mixed martial arts, hockey, comedy, and digital entertainment.
Justin Gaethje is one of the most notable additions. Known for his UFC career, he brings a professional combat-sports background to a competition centered on golf.
Johnny Manziel, the former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, represents another connection to mainstream sports. His participation gives football fans a reason to follow the series.
Paige Spiranac remains a prominent name in golf-related social media, while Grant Horvat is known for competitive golf videos and online matches.
Rick Shiels adds extensive golf instruction and equipment-review experience. Meanwhile, Tyler Toney brings his audience from Dude Perfect, a group recognized for sports challenges and trick-shot entertainment.
Robby Berger, associated with Bob Does Sports, is another familiar figure for viewers who follow creator-led golf content.
These varied backgrounds give the tournament a broader audience than a conventional golf event might attract.
How the Tournament Format Works
The original 64-player field was divided into four teams of 16. The opening stage featured eight two-player scramble matches followed by eight alternate-shot matches for each captain’s matchup.
In scramble golf, both partners hit a shot and the team chooses the better position for the next attempt. Alternate shot requires teammates to take turns hitting the same ball, placing greater emphasis on coordination and consistency.
The opening results determined which two teams advanced. White Team defeated Blue Team in a playoff after their overall matchup finished tied at 8–8. Green Team defeated Red Team by a reported score of 10.5–5.5.
Consequently, 32 players from the two winning teams continued into the next stage, while the other 32 competitors were eliminated.
The format makes partnerships particularly important. A strong individual golfer can influence a match, but effective communication and the ability to perform under pressure can also determine the outcome.
Prize Money and the Cody Franke Trophy
The $4 million prize pool is one of the defining features of the 2026 competition. The amount represents a substantial increase from the inaugural event and raises the stakes for the remaining participants.
The championship trophy honors Cody “Beef” Franke, who won the 2025 competition alongside Brad Dalke and Francis Ellis. Franke died in October 2025 before the first season aired.
His connection to the inaugural victory remains an important part of the tournament’s history. The trophy gives the competition a lasting link to its first champions as the event develops into a recurring series.
Remaining Episode Schedule
The six-episode release schedule runs through November 12, 2026. Episodes are scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Episode 1: October 26 — Released.
- Episode 2: October 29 — Released.
- Episode 3: November 2 — Scheduled.
- Episode 4: November 5 — Upcoming.
- Episode 5: November 9 — Upcoming.
- Episode 6: November 12 — Scheduled finale.
Fans can follow the series through YouTube releases associated with Fore Play Golf, Bob Does Sports, and the dedicated Internet Invitational channel.
The championship outcome remains unresolved in the information available for this article as of November 2.
What to Watch as the Competition Continues
For readers following the internet invitational 2026 roster, the biggest question is whether Ruffels or Bryan can guide their remaining players through the final stages.
Both captains advanced from the opening round, but the competition still has several matches to complete before the championship is decided. Partnerships, putting under pressure, and consistency across different formats could prove decisive.
The mixture of established golfers and internet personalities also leaves room for unexpected performances. Some participants arrive with extensive golf experience, while others are better known for their work in entertainment or other sports.
With the finale approaching, the series offers a blend of competitive golf and creator-driven storytelling. The next episodes will determine which players emerge from the remaining field and claim the title in the tournament’s second season.