The US Open is one of golf’s four major championships and is widely considered the most challenging of the four majors to win. With huge galleries and intense pressure, securing tickets to the US Open can be difficult and expensive. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of US Open ticket options and prices for 2023.
Background on the US Open
The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the US Open, is the annual open national championship of golf in the United States. It is run by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and is held in June each year.
The US Open usually takes place on very difficult course setups that emphasize accuracy over distance. The narrow fairways, high rough, and slick greens put a premium on driving and approach play. This sets the US Open apart from the other majors and makes it sometimes referred to as the “most grueling test in golf”.
Some key facts about the US Open:
- It has been played annually since 1895 (except during World War I and World War II).
- Some of the most famous US Open courses include Pebble Beach, Oakmont, Shinnecock Hills, and Winged Foot.
- The most recent US Opens have averaged around 7,200 yards in length.
- The US Open field is made up of 156 players.
- Past winners include the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka, and Jon Rahm.
The winner of the US Open is awarded the US Open Championship Trophy and usually paid around $2.25 million. The US Open is hugely popular among golf fans and its challenging setup means the very best golfers in the world are often needed to prevail.
US Open 2023 Course and Dates
The 2023 US Open will be played at Los Angeles Country Club’s North Course in Los Angeles, California. This will be the third time that the North Course has hosted the US Open.
Key tournament dates:
- Thursday, June 15, 2023 – First round
- Friday, June 16, 2023 – Second round
- Saturday, June 17, 2023 – Third round
- Sunday, June 18, 2023 – Final round
The North Course previously hosted US Opens in 1948 and 1973. Rees Jones led a major renovation of the course in 2010 to get it ready to host another Open. At just over 7,000 yards, it is a shorter venue by modern US Open standards but will feature tight fairways and difficult bunkering.
Getting US Open Tickets
There are a few main ways to get tickets to the US Open each year:
- Buy general admission tickets – Single-day or weekly tickets that allow access to walk the course’s ‘public’ areas.
- Apply through a ticket lottery – Fans can enter an online ticket lottery several months before the tournament for a chance to purchase tickets.
- Purchase hospitality packages – All-inclusive packages that guarantee access to private spaces, premium food and drinks, TVs, etc.
- Get corporate tickets – Big companies will often buy ticket inventory to use for client entertainment.
The USGA runs an online ticket portal at USOpen.com where fans can browse available ticket options as they are released. This is the best place to check for updated ticket details leading up to the 2023 Open at LA Country Club.
US Open Ticket Prices
US Open ticket prices can vary significantly depending on the round and type of ticket purchased. In general, weekly badges granting access to the whole tournament are the most expensive option.
Here are the face value prices set by the USGA for tickets to the 2023 US Open:
Weekly Badges
Badge Type | Face Value Price |
---|---|
Championship Badge (public areas all week) | $175 |
Clubhouse Badge (exclusive Michelin-starred dining) | $425 |
Daily Grounds Tickets
Day | Face Value Price |
---|---|
Monday Practice Round | $75 |
Thursday/Friday | $125 |
Saturday | $135 |
Sunday | $150 |
It’s important to note these are just the face value prices – the market price for high-demand US Open tickets often reaches much higher amounts, sometimes into the thousands of dollars per ticket.
Best Places to Buy US Open Tickets
While the USGA-run USOpen.com should be the first stop for 2023 US Open tickets, there are some other places fans can check if looking for tickets:
- Official Hospitality Packages – On-site luxury suites and premium hospitality packages purchased through the tournament.
- VividSeats – Reputable secondary ticket marketplace with buyer protections.
- StubHub – Similar to VividSeats, connect fans with ticket resellers.
- eBay – Plenty of ticket listings will pop up on sites like eBay leading up to the Open.
- Golf specialty brokers – Companies like Golfbreaks.com can offer premium US Open packages.
Be very careful when considering purchasing tickets from unofficial third-party sellers, especially leading up to the tournament. Fake tickets are a real risk.
Most Expensive US Open Tickets
For fans looking for luxury and exclusivity, the most expensive 2023 US Open tickets will be through premium hospitality packages and suites. These all-inclusive options can reach into five figures per person.
Some of the high-end hospitality packages available for 2023 include:
- Platinum Club Suite Package – 4 people for $9,500 per day. Includes luxury suite, indoor and outdoor seating, premium food and drinks, TVs, parking passes.
- Evian Suite – 4 people for $7,500 per day. Upscale suite located on 18th hole with exceptional views.
- Grey Goose Suite – 4 people for $7,500 per day. New suite overlooking the 12th tee.
- Michelob Ultra Pavilion – 4 people for $7,000 per day. Spacious lounge area with outdoor veranda and all-inclusive offerings.
These luxury package prices generally cover four people for one tournament day. So buying one for the entire week would cost around $30,000-$40,000 at the high end. Beyond hospitality packages, there are also ultra-exclusive US Open opportunities for six figure sums that include celebrity pro-ams, private course access, player meet-and-greets, and more.
Cheapest US Open Tickets
For fans on more of a budget, the cheapest ticket options for the 2023 US Open will be general ground passes purchased in advance for the practice rounds or early tournament rounds.
Based on prices for 2022, some cheaper US Open ticket options include:
- Monday Practice Round Pass – $75 face value.
- Thursday/Friday Ground Pass – Around $125 face value.
- Any youth ticket – Subject to discounts and cheaper tiers.
- Military/Veterans/Seniors tickets – Discounted daily ground passes.
- Single-day clubhouse passes – Less demand than weekend tickets.
Historically, Wednesday and Thursday tickets have the most availability and cheapest prices both from the USGA and secondary market resellers. But landing any day at face value will generally be the most budget friendly option.
One other money saving tip is purchasing a weekly badge which effectively lowers the per-day cost to around $25-50 depending on the type of badge.
How Demand Impacts US Open Ticket Prices
As one of golf’s four major championships, demand for US Open tickets is always high. But many factors can cause price fluctuations for tickets on the secondary market leading up to and during tournament week. Some of these demand drivers include:
- Venue/location – Iconic venues like Pebble Beach drive massive demand.
- Strength of field – Is Tiger Woods playing? Or other stars?
- Competing events – What else is happening locally that weekend? E.g. NBA Finals.
- Weather forecast – Good weather brings more golf fans.
- Special events – Celebrations like anniversaries can hike demand.
- Tickets remaining – Remaining inventory greatly impacts prices late in the week.
In general, Saturday and Sunday tournament rounds are always the hottest tickets. But exciting storylines and optimal weather forecasts during the week can cause massive spikes in demand – and prices. So buying early is recommended to lock in the best deals.
Advice for Getting the Best US Open Ticket Deals
Here are some top tips for landing the best deals on US Open tickets:
- Buy during pre-sales or as early as possible when selection is best.
- Be flexible on which days you can attend if possible.
- Don’t wait until the last minute – prices skyrocket as inventory dwindles.
- Consider purchasing weekly badges or hospitality packages to lower per-day costs.
- Follow fan resale sites for price drops as the event gets closer.
- Join the USGA ticket lottery – if you win, prices will be face value.
- Compare across multiple ticket platforms to find lowest prices.
- Sale your own extras if you happen to score hot tickets.
With proper planning and flexibility, loyal golf fans can usually find some affordable way to experience the magic of a US Open in person. But landing the best deals requires effort and commitment. The rewards of walking the hallowed grounds alongside the world’s best players make it well worth the hunt.
Conclusion
Securing tickets to the US Open takes determination andstrategy, but it can be done with some effort. The USGA ticket website should be the first stop, but be ready to explore all options including lotteries, secondary markets, hospitality packages and more.
In 2023, Los Angeles Country Club will provide a classic US Open test. Ticket prices will likely reflect high demand – but those willing to act early and seek out deals can experience golf’s toughest test without breaking the bank. The history, prestige, and challenges of the US Open make it a bucket list item for any golf fan.