Ryder Cup beer prices draw ire from fans in New York

Golf fans are preparing for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, where Europe will defend the trophy on American soil. Captained by Luke Donald, Europe features Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick and Jon Rahm among others as they bid to become only the fifth team in history to win on American soil. The United States roster includes Scottie Scheffler, Xander Scheuffele and Bryson DeChambeau, providing a formidable challenge as the biennial team event nears its culmination. The match is one of the marquee dates on the golf calendar, with anticipation building as teams travel to Long Island for the competition that begins this Friday.

Fans have already begun flocking across the pond to watch the action unfold at Bethpage Black, with practice rounds giving spectators a first glimpse of the squads in action. The Ryder Cup is set to ignite a weekend of high-stakes golf, as Europe seeks to extend its winning tradition on foreign soil while the Americans look to reclaim the trophy on home turf. The event has drawn global attention, heightening expectations for dramatic moments at one of golf’s most storied courses.

A price list posted at the venue during practice days has sparked a wave of criticism from fans, who say the beverage costs are excessive. A 19-ounce Premier Beer is listed at $19, a 16-ounce beer at $16 and a Bud Light also at $16. A 25-ounce Michelob Ultra costs $18, with a 16-ounce version priced at $15. The menu of options has drawn mockery and alarm on social media, where attendees describe the prices as “horrendous” and “disgusting” amid a tense weekend of competition.

"Are the prices meant to deter drinking? $15 for a BUD LIGHT??? Also, how much is the sales tax? Grateful to be sober, if only for financial reasons! LOL," one poster on X wrote, capturing the mix of incredulity and humor among fans. Another observer remarked, "That's insane. Give the people reasonable prices cmon man...." A third noted, "As ridiculous as that is, it is on par with most sporting events I attend." A fourth contributed, "Something's gotta happen with these tournament alcohol prices. You shouldn't have to spend $320 on alcohol to get drunk." These comments reflect a broader conversation about the cost of attending major events and the tension between premium experiences and value for money.

The price controversy comes on the heels of previously steep ticket costs for practice days. For practice sessions alone, fans faced listed prices around $255.57. Wednesday’s practice day carried a price tag of about $423.64 (£324.60) and the actual competition over Friday, Saturday and Sunday was priced at roughly $749.51 (£574.29). The combination of high ticket prices and beverage costs has prompted questions about affordability for dedicated golf fans and casual spectators alike as the Ryder Cup approaches.

To put the New York prices in perspective, organizers’ pricing stands in contrast to the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome at Marco Simone, where general admission ranged from $53 to $277 depending on the day. The Rome setup offered broader entry points for different budgets, illustrating how pricing strategies differ across venues and markets. With the tournament kicking off this Friday, fans will soon weigh the golf against the cost of attending and consuming at one of golf’s defining events.

As play begins, questions about value and access are likely to linger alongside the on-course action. The Ryder Cup in New York promises a weekend of high-level golf, memorable moments and, for some attendees, a lesson in the economics of modern sports hospitality. The event’s outcome could influence how fans and venues think about pricing in future editions of one of the sport’s most celebrated events. For now, spectators can take in the drama on the course while deciding whether the price of admission and refreshments aligns with their experience at Bethpage Black.