The Ryder Cup golf tournament takes place every two years – one year, it is held in Europe and the other year, it happens in the United States. The 2025 Ryder Cup will be held at Bethpage Black on Long Island, New York. Consternation about the prices of tickets is already a point of contention a year ahead of the schedule.
Ticket prices
The ticket prices begin at $255 for practice rounds early in the week and reach a baseline of $749 for competition days. Tickets aren’t yet available for purchase but responses on social media and from fans show their shock at the prices. Tickets for the past two events held outside Rome and Milwaukie were in the $200 to $250 range. Very few sporting events would charge as much as $749.
The popular betPARX sportsbook app is one of the main sponsors of the PGA. Bryan Karns, championship director, has worked for the PGA for a decade. He believes the prices are justified for various external and internal reasons. He also said that the PGA believes in being transparent about pricing and didn’t want to list a lower amount and give attendees a shock at checkout. Karns has been based in York for the past two years preparing for the event and says the team has taken in a lot of feedback to settle on a price point.
External factors affecting the price
The PGA prices events differently, depending on the market, and New York is one of the most populated and expensive cities in the world. The PGA has been working on how to price an event in the vicinity of New York City for some time. The cost of living in New York is high, and the operating cost for the event will be much higher than an event held in the countryside.
Karns believes that the Ryder Cup is a ‘Tier 1’ event that fits the greater sports landscape alongside an NBA final or World Series. He also mentioned the Ryder Cup lasts for a full day rather than a couple of hours like some other events.
Demand for tickets
Planning well in advance and being smart about flights are some of the ways travelers can afford luxury travel on a budget. In the same way, golf fans who really want to attend this golfing event will find a way to do so. Even at high prices, tickets will be sought after by fans. Karns says prices are not only indicative of the market and positioning but also of the demand for tickets.
Where demand is so high, the aim is to price tickets so as not to create an inflated secondary market. It is almost impossible to avoid a secondary market, however, and this does demonstrate what people are willing to pay. It makes business sense for prices of tickets to reflect demand.
Internal factors
The PGA is a non-profit organization, and the Ryder Cup is what helps it to break even on budgeting. It helps fund the PGA mission for the next four years until the next Ryder Cup in 2029 outside Minneapolis. Karns believes that what’s most important to growing the game is supporting the 30,000 PGA members on the frontline.
Another internal reason for the price hike is that the PGA plans for this event to be the biggest and best it has ever held. Karns believes those attending the event will have a one-of-a-kind experience and walk out feeling the price was worthwhile.
