The biennial matches are a three-day contest for professional female golfers, between teams of 12 top players from the United States and Europe.

Entering the 2011 matches, the U.S. had won the three recent competitions, with Europe's last victory coming eight years earlier in 2003 in Sweden.

Team Europe was selected by taking the top four players from the LET Solheim Cup standings, followed by the top four Ladies European Tour members on the Women's World Golf Rankings as if 29 August 2011, were not already qualified via the Solheim Cup standings, and four captain's selections.

Qualifying points for Team Europe were awarded weekly to the top-10 finishers at official LET events.

Team USA qualified by earning points for wins and for top-20 finishes on the LPGA Tour over a two-year period.

Points were earned beginning with the 2009 Safeway Classic and concluding with the 2011 Women's British Open.

Two additional players were selected by captain Rosie Jones before the start of the Matches.