Here’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting.
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The Masters in 2026 has not seen Jim Nantz as the lead on-air broadcaster for the Masters on CBS due to scheduling and potential health/contract discussions; some outlets have noted ongoing retirement/exit timing chatter around Nantz, with mentions of a future retirement plan but no definitive end date announced publicly for his Masters coverage in 2026.[3][5][6]
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In early 2025, multiple outlets discussed his contemplation of retirement and an anticipated retirement window later in the decade, but none provided a firm, current-year replacement plan or an official confirmation of him being absent from Masters coverage in 2026.[2][5][6]
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For context, Nantz has historically anchored Masters coverage since 1986 and has spoken about retirement timelines in interviews over the past few years, indicating potential future changes but without a concrete, immediate retirement announcement.[5][6][3]
If you’d like, I can pull the most up-to-date reports from credible outlets and summarize the current status with direct quotes.
Sources
"I’m thinking about this show now, and by the way, maybe I don’t make it there, maybe I go beyond it."
barrettmedia.comJim Nantz has been the voice of The Masters for 40 years - but the veteran broadcaster admits he's got an "exit date" in mind...
www.bunkered.co.ukCBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz has revealed when he plans to retire from calling the Masters. Find out when that might happen.
www.sportscasting.comFor the last three decades, Nantz has been the voice in living rooms and restaurant bars and anywhere else fans were watching the two biggest sporting events on the Spring calendar — the Final Four and the Masters over a span of nine days.
www.pga.comWhat is the one role Jim Nantz is ready to ditch his Super Bowl duties for? Here's everything you need to know about what he said!
www.essentiallysports.comIt's going to be a sad day when we don't hear "Hello, friends."
www.skratch.golfFrom Jim Nantz's first year covering the Masters Tournament in 1986, the announcer was calling some of the most consequential shots in the tournament's history.
www.pgatour.comWASHINGTON (AP) - Jim Nantz couldn't figure out why he was getting text messages from friends about the 1986 Masters, unaware it was the first of eight Masters being shown during a second week in April unlike any other. That was his first Masters for CBS Sports. "And there's no doubt about it. The Bear has come out of hibernation," he says from the 16th tower after Jack Nicklaus makes birdie to tie for the lead. Nantz was relieved to learn later he had not repeated what already had been said.
fox17.com