The Solheim Cup 2024: All you need to know as US host Europe

Europe are looking to win the Solheim Cup on American soil for just the third time

The 19th edition of the Solheim Cup takes place between 13-15 September as the United States host Europe at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia.

Europe are aiming to retain the trophy for a record fourth time in the biggest team competition in women's golf.

BBC Sport will have live radio commentary on 5 Live across all three days - which is now also available via most smart speakers - and daily highlights on BBC Two.

There will also be live text commentary, video highlights, reaction and analysis on the BBC Sport website and mobile app.

What is the Solheim Cup?

The Solheim Cup will begin with foursome matches on Friday

The Solheim Cup takes place every two years, and is played over three days, between two teams of 12 women from the United States and Europe.

It is named in honour of the Norwegian-American golf club manufacturer Karsten Solheim and his wife Louise, who have sponsored the event since its inaugural contest in 1990, and have also played a huge part in supporting the women's game over the past 50 years.

The US have won the trophy 10 times, Europe have won seven and there has been one tie - the dramatic 14-14 draw last September at Finca Cortesin in Spain, which ensured Europe retained the Cup, having won the previous two in Ohio and Scotland.

Why is the Solheim Cup being played this year?

The biennial contest has switched back to even-numbered years for the first time since 2002 to avoid clashing with the Ryder Cup.

The equivalent men's contest moved to odd-numbered years after being postponed in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Both events took place in successive weeks in Europe in 2023, with the Solheim Cup preceding the Ryder Cup, which was held in Rome.

Who will captain the United States and Europe?

Stacy Lewis (left) and Suzann Pettersen reprise their roles from Finca Cortesin in 2023

The two captains from last year's contest in Spain will reprise their roles, with Suzann Pettersen leading the European team and Stacy Lewis serving her second term as skipper for the US.

Anna Nordqvist, Dame Laura Davies and Caroline Martens remain as vice-captains for Europe, with Mel Reid also part of Pettersen's staff after previously taking on a similar role for Catriona Matthew in 2019 at Gleneagles.

Paula Creamer and Brittany Lincicome will make their debut as assistant captains for US, with Morgan Pressel and Angela Stanford completing Lewis' backroom line-up.

Who is playing in the Solheim Cup?

Nelly Korda has won six times from 13 starts on the LPGA Tour in 2024

In Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu, the United States boast the top two players in the world in their ranks, and with the contest on home soil just outside Washington DC, they have been installed as the bookmakers' clear favourites

Korda, who triumphed at the Chevron Championship in April, has won six times on the LPGA Tour this year and was an automatic qualifier for the 12-strong team alongside Vu, Lauren Coughlin, Ally Ewing, Allisen Corpuz, Megan Khang, Andrea Lee, Rose Zhang and Alison Lee.

Lewis will also be able to call upon Lexi Thompson, who is making her seventh and final appearance in the competition before retiring from playing full time at the end of the year.

Jennifer Kupcho and Sarah Schmelzel are also among the US wildcard picks.

England's Charley Hull and Ireland's Leona Maguire were among the eight automatic qualifiers for Europe's team.

They are joined by France's Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda of Spain, Germany's Esther Henseleit and Swedish trio Maja Stark, Linn Grant and Madelene Sagstrom.

Along with Henseleit, Swiss golfer Albane Valenzuela makes her debut for Europe who have also gone for the experience of England's Georgia Hall, Sweden's Anna Nordqvist and Denmark's Emily Pedersen.

World rankings correct as of 9 September, 2024

What's the Solheim Cup format and scoring?

There will be 28 matches over three days in foursomes, fourballs and singles. Each match is worth one point with half a point awarded to both teams if they are tied.

The team who gets to 14½ points first wins the Solheim Cup outright. Europe will retain the trophy again if the contest was to end in a 14-14 draw.

Foursomes - there are four matches, played in pairs. Each pair uses one ball hitting alternate shots with the lowest score on each hole winning.

Fourballs - there are four matches, played in pairs. All four players use their own ball The lowest scoring ball on each hole from each side is taken.

On the final day all 24 players from both teams compete in 12 singles matches.

What is the weather going to be like?

Temperatures will peak at 28C over the three days of competition on the much-vaunted par-72 course, situated on the banks of Lake Manassas.

However, while the practice days are forecast to remain dry, there could be showers developing later in the week, particularly on Sunday during the singles matches.

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Club has previously held four Presidents Cups on American soil from 1994 to 2005, plus a PGA Tour event - the 2015 Quicken Loans National - hosted by Tiger Woods and won by Troy Merritt.

How to follow Solheim Cup on the BBC

Thursday, 12 September

19:30-20:30 BST: Solheim Cup preview programme on BBC Radio 5 Live

Friday, 13 September

11:00-22:00: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app, with updates on BBC Radio 5 Live

17:00-20:30: Live radio commentary on BBC Sport website and app

20:30-22:00: Live radio commentary on 5 Live

00:05-01:05: Highlights on BBC Two

Saturday, 14 September

11:00-22:00: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app, with updates on BBC Radio 5 Live

17:00-20:30: Live radio commentary on BBC Sport website and app

20:30-22:00: Live radio commentary on 5 Live

00:30-01:30: Highlights on BBC Two

Sunday, 15 September

13:00-close of play: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app

14:00-18:30: Live radio commentary on BBC Sport website and app

18:30-close of play: Live radio commentary on 5 Live

21:00-22:00: Highlights on BBC Four

23:55-00:55: Highlights on BBC Two

You can also follow live and uninterrupted on most smart speakers.

On Friday, just tell your device to 'ask BBC Sounds to play Solheim Cup - day one'. For Saturday's coverage, you'll need to ask for 'day two', and on Sunday ask for 'day three'.