Ryder Cup risks losing key element with ticket cost to keep ‘brutal’ fans quiet

The Ryder Cup is back, but more expensive than ever, in 2025.

Getting tickets for one of the most exciting golf events on the calendar is often hard enough, but next year, fans hoping to attend the competition at Bethpage Black in New York face being charged up to $750 for a single ticket.

Europe are seeking to defend the trophy won in a loud and fiery Rome last year, but with just under 12 months until the competition, Ryder Cup organisers are being accused of pricing out ordinary spectators, who flock in their thousands donning fancy dress to make it a spectacle, in favour of the corporate classes.

Those who have not already secured tickets can now register via the competition’s official website for random allocation.

Successful applicants will be informed in the coming weeks and will be able to purchase up to four single-day tickets – if they can afford them.

Tickets for practice days on Tuesday, 23 September and Wednesday, 24 September are priced at $255.27.

That figure then rises as the weekend approaches, with Thursday’s practice, Junior Ryder Cup, celebrity matches and the opening ceremony costing $423.64.

Match day tickets on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will cost $749.51.

Unsurprisingly, the prices have caused a stir online, especially given that standard day tickets for Rome last year cost just over £200.

“This is gross and bad. Nothing more needs to be discussed,” podcast presenter Brendan Porath wrote on X.

“It betrays the nature of the host place and undercuts the event. The Ryder Cup’s corporate and other rights partners should decry it.”

Another fan questioned the value for money with each ticket.

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“I’ve been to a Ryder Cup. Its a great experience, but definitely a made for TV event. Only four groups on the course at a time and 50k people there, you spend most of your day waiting eight holes ahead for play to come through for 45 mins,” they wrote.

One fan went even further, suggesting: “This Ryder Cup ticket price situation is hilarious considering it’s easily the worst golf viewing event on the planet.”

Rupert Bell, talkSPORT’s golf correspondent, discussed the ticket price news on Tuesday.

“Golf has to look at the big picture,” he said.

“Ryder Cup spectators may just feel for the moment that they are being fleeced. New York is not cheap, especially for the European fans who are travelling there.”

Asked by talkSPORT hosts Jim White and Simon Jordan if the competition organisers are trying to price out rowdy fans, Bell suggested that could indeed by a factor.

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“I think this is maybe part of it, they’re worried about the regular New York sports fan who can be uncompromising and brutal,” he said.

“This ticket does include unlimited non-alcoholic drinks and food, so that might be what they’re trying to offer on face value. So maybe that’s what they’re trying to do.”

Earlier this month, USA captain Keegan Bradley revealed Ryder Cup organisers will implement a new strategy to avoid the tournament getting out of hand in New York.

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The last two editions have seen a few boisterous fans overstepping – in the eyes of some – the mark with what is acceptable when supporting home players.

In Rome in 2023, European fans waved their hats in the air, responding to claims that Team USA’s Patrick Cantlay refused to wear a hat because he’s not getting paid to play.

It even got spicy among the players with Rory McIlroy being held back by Shane Lowry in a furious confrontation with Justin Thomas’ caddie.

There are fears that things could once again boil over at New York’s notoriously boisterous Bethpage Black next September.

In an attempt to keep conditions fair, Ryder Cup chiefs will have observers inside the ropes to root out anyone deemed to have ‘crossed the line’ and will eject misbehaving fans.