Ryder Cup 2025 at Bethpage Black draws scrutiny over drink prices as tickets sell out
Steep concessions and premium hospitality prices contrast with a sold-out field and record demand for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
The 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is drawing attention for pricing that has some fans rethinking their plans to attend. The PGA of America has set a minimum beer price of $15, with a premium beer at $19 and a hard seltzer at $16. A non-alcoholic Michelob Ultra Zero runs $12, while four 16-ounce Bud Lights, plus tax, can approach the cost of a weekday round at Bethpage, which is about $70. A mixed drink, the All-American Transfusion, is listed at $19.50. The price structure comes as fans pack the course for practice rounds at $255 and for official play at $750 per day, which includes food and non-alcoholic beverages. More than 500,000 fans applied for Ryder Cup tickets, the event sold out in 48 hours, and a premium hospitality package was priced at $10,000 per day. The combination of high drink prices and premium packages has sparked conversations about the event’s evolving identity and access for everyday golf fans.
More than a dozen hours before the first tee, fans were already lining up for the spectacle, including many who planned to partake in practice rounds and the premium hospitality offerings. Even as beer and cocktail prices dominate the chatter, the Ryder Cup remains one of golf’s marquee events, drawing an international audience and a level of corporate sponsorship that supports a broader hospitality ecosystem around the competition. For some attendees, the early-morning drink runs and the full-day food-and-beverage inclusions are part of the experience, while others have questioned whether the price of admission is expanding beyond the traditional notion of “The People’s Country Club.”
The event’s merchandise footprint underscores the premium experience on offer. The massive tent beyond the main entrance features polo shirts priced at $145, sweatshirts at $245, and commemorative coins signed by U.S. captain Keegan Bradley listed at up to $7,500. In a nod to context, organizers and observers note that the economics of major golf events have shifted toward higher-priced, all-inclusive experiences. By comparison, tickets to this year’s Masters run about $140 per day, while tickets to the U.S. Open at Oakmont could be purchased for around $150, illustrating how Ryder Cup pricing sits in a broader landscape of major championships.
As the competition unfolds on Bethpage Black, the optics of price versus passion for the game continue to be a talking point among fans, analysts, and participants. The turnout—paired with the price tags attached to concessions, hospitality, and merchandise—suggests that even as the Ryder Cup broadens its commercial footprint, its core appeal remains rooted in high-stakes golf, national pride, and the pageantry of one of sport’s premier team events.