The future of the Rocket Classic in Detroit has become uncertain after Rocket Companies declined to exercise its option for 2027. This decision leaves the PGA Tour event secured only through 2026, with no guarantees for subsequent years. As the PGA Tour undergoes significant scheduling changes, Detroit’s tournament finds itself caught in a complex situation that could reshape its long-term viability.
In a statement to Crain’s Detroit Business, company executive Mark Hollis confirmed that it was not in their best interest to invoke the 2027 option. Although Rocket remains contracted through 2026, the lack of an automatic rollover to 2027 diminishes the organizers’ leverage in negotiations with the PGA Tour. The Rocket Classic had been gearing up for a promising future, especially after substantial renovations at the Detroit Golf Club and a newly scheduled date for 2026.
The 2026 edition of the Rocket Classic is set to take place from July 30 to August 2. This timing was specifically chosen to coincide with the completion of a $16.1 million renovation project aimed at enhancing the club’s North Course. The extensive upgrades include rebuilding greens, bunkers, and drainage systems, which organizers hoped would elevate the event’s profile within the PGA Tour circuit.
Amid these developments, the PGA Tour is also navigating a major reset. The creation of a Future Competitions Committee, chaired by Tiger Woods, aims to assess potential changes to the tour’s structure and schedule for 2027. Current discussions suggest that significant alterations are on the horizon, with potential impacts on events like the Rocket Classic. As Golf Monthly reported, proposals under consideration could eliminate elevated “Signature Events” and shift the start of the season to after the NFL’s Super Bowl, effectively changing how sponsorships and television coverage are valued.
The implications of these changes extend beyond the tournament itself. Since its inception in 2019, the Rocket Classic has become a key sporting event in Detroit, contributing to the local economy and community initiatives. The tournament’s “Changing the Course” campaign has invested approximately $4.3 million into digital-access programs, benefiting numerous local nonprofits. The loss or scaling back of the event would not only affect the leaderboard but also impact hotels, restaurants, vendors, and temporary workers who rely on the tournament’s economic boost.
As discussions continue between Rocket Companies, tournament organizers, and the PGA Tour, no timeline for a resolution has been established. The Future Competitions Committee has indicated an intention to finalize a new model for 2027, although it has emphasized that the timeline is flexible, allowing for extensions or phased changes.
For now, Detroit remains in a holding pattern, awaiting clarity on the broader implications of the PGA Tour’s restructuring. Local organizers remain hopeful that the Rocket Classic’s community engagement, along with the recently renovated course, will help maintain its place in the PGA Tour lineup in the years to come. In the meantime, fans can still look forward to the 2026 Rocket Classic as scheduled, but questions linger beyond that date as the tournament’s future hangs in the balance.
