It should be a day of joyous celebration – The Masters is back! – but instead, the first afternoon of the competition is surely among the most frustrating sessions of sport in any given year.
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The Masters is one of those events that can still capture the attention of casual viewers beyond the usual golf die-hards.
However, if you want to tune in for the action in 2026, you're going to have to wait for it. Again.
A blackout comes into force at the start of each day's play, meaning global viewers must survive on shreds of information from media outlets before they are treated to the full live broadcast.
Radio Times brings you all the details about The Masters 2026 blackout rules.
Why is The Masters not on TV? Blackout rules explained
The reason why early stages of daily Masters action is not shown on TV is quite simply because Augusta National doesn't want it to be.
It is a long-standing tradition for coverage to begin later in the day in order to ultimately preserve the prestigious nature of the event.
A ticket to The Masters remains one of the ultimate bucket list items for a sports fan to pick up, and controlling live broadcasts only adds to the exclusivity of the event and the sense of a pure sporting occasion.
Each day, only a select number of featured groups are able to be shown live until the blackout ends at approximately 6pm in the UK, when full coverage begins.
Augusta National boasts a number of much-discussed traditions, rules and regulations to maintain a near-unique unchanging image every year.
No electronic devices are permitted on the course, running is simply not tolerated, booing and jeering is equally frowned upon, while foldable chairs without arms must be used throughout the grounds.
You're also not allowed to take your own food or drinks onto the course, but don't worry, a pimento cheese sandwich will only set you back $1.50 (£1.12), a "Masters Club" sandwich costs $3 (£2.24), coffee and soft drinks are each $2 (£1.49) and even the beers are capped at a palatable $6 (£4.46).
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Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.
