INSIGHT
Are ticket prices Europe’s secret Ryder Cup weapon?
Much has been written about what the atmosphere will be like at Bethpage Black, but Sir Nick Faldo says the price of admission may have an impact
Sir Nick Faldo reckons Europe’s secret weapon at Bethpage could be ticket prices.
The six-time major winner and Ryder Cup legend thinks the $750-a-day cost (£558) to get into the biennial battle between the United States and Europe could have an impact on the atmosphere at the New York municipal course.
Home advantage has become crucial at Ryder Cups and it is expected European captain Luke Donald and his team will receive a hostile reception.
But Sir Nick, who played in European teams which won on US soil in 1987 and 1995, isn’t necessarily expecting the stereotypical New York sports fan to be on the grounds in Long Island.
“At Bethpage, you cross the road and really go through the trees a lot,” he explained. “I feel you’re going to have more of a true fan to follow you, because you’ve got to walk the whole thing.
He added: “I think you’re going to have more of a golfing fan watching. Plus, there’s $750 for a ticket that will probably deter a few as well.”
Ticket prices for this Ryder Cup have been a huge talking point in the run up to the three-day festival of golf.
While the daily price includes food and non-alcoholic beverages, it remains the most expensive ticket in the event’s near 100-year history – dwarfing the 260 euros for the final day singles in Rome two years ago.
Even practice day tickets at Bethpage are $255, with a spot at Thursday’s opening ceremony setting punters back more than $400.
$750
Ryder Cup single day ticket
The Price of Sport
$160
Masters tournament day ticket
€70 to €950
Champions League Final
€2,340
F1 Monaco Grand Prix Sunday ticket
$206 to $1,607
World Cup Final
$8,000
Super Bowl
Back in January, Jeff Price, The PGA of America’s chief commercial officer, justified the prices, with Sports Business Journal reporting him saying: “We did really extensive market analysis and knew that if you’re in New York, you’re going to essentially have breakfast, lunch and dinner covered as part of a world-class sporting event.
“A $750 price tag is actually a good deal. When I’ve talked to New Yorkers who are looking at it, they’re like, ‘That’s actually a really good deal.”
How does the $750 Ryder Cup ticket compare?
Ticket prices are £30 for an adult on a practice day at Royal Birkdale during The Open next year and rising as the week goes on. It will be £150 for an adult to attend the final round.
The Masters is renowned for being competitively priced, with tournament tickets in 2026 costing $160 and practice tickets ranging from $125 to $150.
A daily gallery ticket for the most recent US Open at Oakmont in June ranged from $66.70 for the Monday practice day to $204.20 on the final championship day.
Golf might still feel underpriced compared with top tier entry to other major sporting events. While Fans First tickets for May’s Champions League final in Munich could be bought for just €90 (£77), the price more than doubled to €180 (£155) for Category 3, while a Category 1 ticket was €950 (£776).
Formula 1 fans will need to dig particularly deep to attend the Monaco Grand Prix next year with Sunday tickets starting at €2,340 (£2,000). A three-day pass began at €3,220 (£2,776) and that VIP yacht viewing that the TV cameras love so much? Friday, Saturday and Sunday in that privileged spot will cost motor sport supporters at least €7,475 (£6,678).
Super Bowl tickets are notoriously hard to get hold of, with those on resale markets shifting for thousands of dollars. The average cost in the run up to the most recent Chiefs-Eagles encounter at New Orleans in February was $8,076 (£6,000).
And while tickets to next year’s World Cup in the USA are yet to go on sale, prices for the final in Qatar in 2022 were reported to range from $206 to $1,607.
Are Europe on a mission?
But regardless of how much it costs to get in, Sir Nick Faldo believes that even with some fans deterred, dealing with the atmosphere will still be the most important factor for Donald’s team.
“We’ve got one major thing to deal with – outside the ropes,” he said. “If they know what they are doing, and how to handle that, I think the guys are going to be fine. I honestly do.
“I genuinely sense they’re on a mission. If you want to take up the feeling of winning the Ryder Cup, you do it away.
“That’s the two special weeks of my life – 87 and 95. To be part of that, you’ve done something special when you win away.”
