The game’s top players will head to Bethpage Black outside New York City for the 45th Ryder Cup, with the U.S. Team and European Team squaring off in one of golf's premier biennial competitions. The three-day match-play competition will begin Friday, Sept. 26, featuring two days of Four-ball and Foursomes matches along with one day of Singles matches. Each 12-player team features six automatic qualifiers and six captain's picks.

Here’s what you need to know on the unique team format as Europe looks to win on American soil for the first time since 2012.

Click here for more information on the 2025 Ryder Cup qualification process.

Team Selections

U.S. Roster:

U.S. players can earn Ryder Cup points at select 2024 events and most 2025 PGA TOUR events through the Aug. 17 conclusion of the BMW Championship, the second FedExCup Playoffs event, with the top six eligible players on the points list securing spots on the U.S. Team.

Click here for current U.S. Team standings.

The six remaining slots for the U.S. Team go to captain's picks, eligible players chosen by U.S. Team Captain Keegan Bradley, and will be announced following the TOUR Championship.

European Roster:

Qualification for Team Europe began in August 2024 and will conclude after the Betfred British Masters on Aug. 24, 2025. The six automatic qualifiers for Europe will be determined via a singular Ryder Cup Points List (a distinct change from previous years that drew three players from a European Points List and three players from a World Points List). The final six slots are captain's picks made by European Team Captain Luke Donald.

Click here for current European Team standings.

Format

Each of the first two days includes one four-match session of Four-balls (also known as best-ball) and one four-match session of Foursomes (alternate-shot), with the final day reserved for 12 Singles matches.

Four-balls

Each member of a two-man team plays his own ball (four balls are in play on every hole). Each team counts the lowest of its two scores on each hole, and the team whose player has the lowest score wins the hole. If the low scores are tied, the hole is halved.

Foursomes

Each two-man team plays one ball per hole with the players taking turns until each hole is complete (two balls are in play on every hole). Players alternate hitting tee shots, with one leading off on odd-numbered holes, and the other hitting first on even-numbered holes. The team with the low score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

Singles

Each match features one player from each team. The player with the lower score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

Scoring

Each match is worth one point, with matches ending in a tie worth 1/2 point to each side. The first team to reach 14.5 points (of the 28 available) wins the Ryder Cup. If the matches end in a 14-14 draw, the team holding the Ryder Cup retains it. The three days consist of 28 total matches, each worth one point. There are no extra holes in Ryder Cup matches. Should the two sides be tied after 18 holes, each side earns a halve (1/2 point).

The European Team is the defending champion heading into the 2025 Ryder Cup after a 16.5-11.5 victory at Marco Simone in 2023. Winning 2023 European Team Captain Luke Donald will return for a second straight Ryder Cup captaincy, while 2023 U.S. Team Captain Zach Johnson has given way to Keegan Bradley.

Concessions

Unlike stroke play, players don't have to complete each hole in match play. If a player concedes a stroke to his opponent, the opponent picks up his ball, takes the score he would have made on the next stroke and moves on to the next hole.