The Players Championship is one of the most prestigious events on the PGA Tour. The tournament takes place every March at the TPC Sawgrass course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. With tens of thousands of fans flocking to the event each day, parking can be a bit of a challenge.
General Parking Information
There are several options for parking at The Players Championship. The main parking lots are located near the main entrance to the TPC Sawgrass facility off CR-210. These lots are massive grass fields that can accommodate thousands of vehicles. Parking here costs $10-40 depending on the day and your desired proximity to the course entrance.
In addition to the main TPC Sawgrass lots, there are various other parking areas located around the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses. These range from small dirt lots to large paved lots at area hotels, restaurants, churches, etc. Rates vary but generally run $20-50 per day.
It’s important to know that on-site parking at TPC Sawgrass sells out well in advance of tournament days. If you don’t secure an on-site parking pass ahead of time, plan on parking at one of the off-site lots and either walking or taking a shuttle.
Securing Parking Passes
Here are some tips for securing parking passes for The Players Championship:
- Purchase parking passes directly through The Players Championship website when they go on sale to the public. This usually occurs 4-6 months prior to the event.
- Join The Players Club, which offers members exclusive pre-sale access to purchase parking passes before the general public.
- Buy parking passes through secondary ticket resellers like StubHub.
- Look for parking pass giveaways through local radio stations, sponsors, etc.
- Check Craigslist and marketplace apps as the event nears for fans reselling passes.
Passes for the on-site TPC Sawgrass lots typically sell out within a few hours of going on sale. So you’ll need to act fast if you want guaranteed parking at the course.
Day of Event Parking Tips
If you don’t have a parking pass for the TPC Sawgrass lots, here are some tips for parking on tournament days:
- Arrive very early, at least 2-3 hours before gates open. This will increase your chances of finding a decent parking spot.
- Consider Uber, Lyft, taxi or bike to avoid parking altogether.
- Park further away at churches, shops, hotels outside the 1-2 mile radius around TPC Sawgrass and take a shuttle.
- Look for street parking in Ponte Vedra Beach neighborhoods, obeying any residential parking signs.
- Prepare to pay higher rates for closer lots as demand spikes.
Parking fills up extremely fast on tournament days, so the earlier you arrive the better. Expect lots within a mile of TPC Sawgrass to reach capacity by mid-morning each day.
shuttle Service
The Players Championship offers free shuttle transportation between off-site parking areas/hotels and TPC Sawgrass on tournament days. Shuttles run continuously from early morning through late evening to accommodate fans.
Some of the major shuttle pickup locations include:
- Sawgrass Marriott
- Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Hampton Inn
- Quail Hollow Club
Shuttles drop fans off right at the main entrance to TPC Sawgrass. The shuttles are air conditioned, wheelchair accessible and accommodating to all. Riding the shuttle can help avoid the headache of driving and parking near the course on busy tournament days.
ADA Accessible Parking
ADA accessible parking is available at The Players Championship for fans with disabilities. To utilize ADA parking, you must have the proper state-issued ADA credentials.
ADA parking is very limited, so it’s highly recommended to request it when purchasing parking passes. You may be required to show your ADA permit or license plate to gain access to these special parking areas.
ADA parking is located near the main entrances at TPC Sawgrass in Lots A, B and C. There is also ADA parking available at select off-site auxiliary parking locations.
RV Parking
RV parking is permitted in designated lots at The Players Championship. RV parking must be purchased in advance through the tournament website or box office.
RV parking rates are:
Wednesday-Sunday | $200 |
Any 1-day | $100 |
For RVs, there is a 30-foot length limit. All vehicles and attachments must fit within one parking space. Hook-ups for water, power or waste are not provided.
RV parking lots open at 7am each morning and close at midnight. You must have a valid RV parking pass visible at all times.
Off-Site Parking Options
In addition to the TPC Sawgrass lots, there are numerous off-site parking options nearby. These include hotels, shopping plazas, churches and beach parking lots. Here are some of the most popular off-site parking choices:
Hotels
- Sawgrass Marriott – $30 per day
- Embassy Suites – $25 per day
- Hampton Inn – $20 per day
- Fairfield Inn & Suites – $15 per day
Churches
- Christ Episcopal Church – $20 per day
- Our Lady Star of the Sea – $15 per day
- St Paul’s Catholic Church – $10 per day
Shopping Centers
- Sawgrass Village – $20 per day
- CVS Ponte Vedra – $15 per day
- Fresh Market Plaza – $10 per day
Keep in mind walk times from off-site lots can be 15+ minutes to TPC Sawgrass. It’s a good idea to bring comfortable walking shoes and sun protection for the trek.
Getting Dropped Off
If you don’t want to deal with parking at The Players, consider getting dropped off instead. There are designated drop-off zones at TPC Sawgrass that provide convenient access right to the tournament entrances.
The main drop-off area is located in Parking Lot A, right across from The Players Club. This allows for easy bag searches before accessing the grounds.
There is also a drop-off zone farther north on PGA Tour Blvd within walking distance to the course.
When getting dropped off, pay close attention to signage and staff directions to the appropriate zones. Avoid stopping on roadways to let passengers out, as this causes traffic backups.
Alternative Transportation
To avoid driving and parking entirely, consider taking alternative transportation to The Players Championship. Some options include:
- Rideshare – Uber and Lyft offer dropoffs right at TPC Sawgrass
- Taxi – Local taxi companies provide service to/from TPC Sawgrass
- Bike – Bike racks are provided free of charge at the course
- Walk – Many nearby hotels, homes and businesses are within walking distance
Using alternative transportation eliminates parking hassles and provides a traffic-free way to get to the tournament. Just be sure to account for extra time needed versus driving directly.
Conclusion
Parking at The Players Championship can definitely be a challenge due to massive crowds. With limited on-site parking, most fans end up parking at off-site lots and taking shuttles. To ensure you get a parking spot, it’s wise to buy passes early before they sell out. Arriving extremely early and utilizing shuttles, rideshares and other transportation can make navigating Players parking easier. With some savvy planning, you’ll be able to park and get to the action at the famous TPC Sawgrass course with minimal headaches.