One of the biggest sporting events to hit the Chicago suburbs in years is just around the corner — and its impact could extend far beyond the golf course.

The 2026 Presidents Cup is coming to Medinah Country Club from September 22–27, bringing some of the best golfers in the world to DuPage County for nearly a week of practices, events and international team competition.

And this isn't expected to be a small crowd.

About 200,000 visitors are expected to attend, and tournament organizers project the event could generate approximately $175 million in economic impact for the region.

For the western Chicago suburbs, that could mean a major influx of visitors filling hotel rooms, restaurants, shops and other local businesses.

What Is the Presidents Cup?

The Presidents Cup is an international team golf competition that pits 12 of the best U.S. players against 12 top international players from outside Europe.

This year's event will be played on Course No. 3 at Medinah Country Club, one of the Chicago area's most recognizable golf venues.

Practice rounds begin Tuesday, September 22, with competition starting Thursday, September 24 and continuing through Sunday, September 27.

The U.S. Team will be led by Captain Brandt Snedeker, while Geoff Ogilvy leads the International Team. The field includes major names such as Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott.

Why This Is Such a Big Deal for DuPage County

The golf will get most of the national attention, but locally, the economic impact could be the bigger story.

Tournament Executive Director Joie Chitwood III has estimated an approximately $175 million regional economic impact.

That's even higher than the reported $135 million economic impact generated when the Presidents Cup was held in Charlotte in 2022.

With around 200,000 people expected, visitors will need places to stay, eat, shop and spend their time outside the tournament.

That puts communities surrounding Medinah — and businesses throughout DuPage County and the broader Chicago suburbs — in a position to benefit.

Hotels and Restaurants Could Be Big Winners

Medinah Country Club sits in unincorporated DuPage County near Itasca, Roselle and Bloomingdale, but the economic activity isn't expected to stop at the communities closest to the course.

Tourism organizations throughout the suburbs have been preparing to capture visitor spending.

Meet Chicago Northwest, which represents eight communities near Medinah, expects at least $3 million in hotel revenue alone, according to reporting on preparations for the tournament.

And international visitors could have an outsized impact.

DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Beth Marchetti told the Daily Herald that international travelers generally spend substantially more than domestic travelers, while international golf travelers spend even more.

That means restaurants, hotels, retail centers and entertainment destinations could all see increased traffic during tournament week.

This Will Be a First for Chicago

Despite Medinah's long history of hosting major golf tournaments, 2026 will mark the first time the Presidents Cup has been played in the Chicago area.

Medinah is no stranger to golf's biggest stages, but bringing the Presidents Cup here puts the western suburbs in front of an international audience.

Organizers are leaning into the Chicago connection, too.

Food available throughout the tournament will include offerings from Chicago-area names such as Billy Goat Tavern, Sweet Baby Ray's and nine Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, giving visitors a taste of the region without leaving the course.

What About Traffic?

An event attracting around 200,000 attendees will inevitably mean additional traffic.

Tournament organizers are offering multiple transportation options, including three general parking locations with shuttle service, rideshare options and Metra transportation.

General parking must be reserved in advance, with shuttle trips to the tournament entrance estimated at roughly 10 to 20 minutes depending on the lot.

Residents traveling through the Medinah, Itasca, Roselle and surrounding areas should expect tournament-related traffic to increase as the event approaches, particularly during competition days.

More Than Just Four Days of Golf

The Presidents Cup competition itself runs September 24–27, but activity begins earlier.

Tuesday and Wednesday are official practice days open to spectators, followed by four days of competition and closing ceremonies on Sunday.

That extended schedule gives visitors more time to explore the suburbs — and more opportunities for local businesses to benefit from their stay.

For DuPage County, the event is as much a tourism opportunity as it is a sporting event.

FAQs

When is the 2026 Presidents Cup?

Tournament week runs September 22–27, 2026, with practice rounds September 22–23 and competitive matches September 24–27.

Where is the Presidents Cup being held?

The tournament will be played at Medinah Country Club's Course No. 3 in DuPage County.

How many people are expected to attend?

Local tourism officials expect approximately 200,000 attendees during the event.

How much money could the Presidents Cup bring to the area?

The tournament is projected to generate approximately $175 million in regional economic impact.

Will there be public transportation?

Yes. Tournament organizers say transportation options will include general parking with shuttle service, rideshare and Metra options.

Final Thoughts

For four days later this month, the world's attention will turn to one of DuPage County's most famous golf courses.

But the bigger local story may be everything happening beyond Medinah's gates.

With roughly 200,000 visitors and a potential $175 million economic impact, the Presidents Cup could provide a significant boost for hotels, restaurants, retailers and other businesses throughout the western Chicago suburbs.

And with this being the first Presidents Cup ever held in the Chicago area, it's also another chance to put DuPage County and the surrounding suburbs on an international stage.

For residents, the message is simple: expect more visitors, more activity — and probably a little more traffic — as tournament week approaches.