The Presidents Cup is set to tee off September 25-30 at the famous Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. As one of golf’s premier international team events, the Presidents Cup always draws huge crowds of enthusiastic fans eager to cheer on the U.S. team against their International opponents. With several months still to go before the first shots are struck, many are wondering if the event will sell out this year.
When do Presidents Cup tickets go on sale?
Tickets for the 2023 Presidents Cup went on sale to the general public on February 15, 2023. The Presidents Cup is managed by the PGA Tour, and tickets can be purchased through the Tour’s website. Tickets are available as weekly badges or individual day grounds passes. Prices range from $75 for a weekly grounds badge up to $550 for an upgraded Clubhouse Pass. There are also several hospitality packages with various amenities that run upwards of $1000 per ticket.
What was previous Presidents Cup ticket demand?
The Presidents Cup is held every two years and rotates between a select group of courses in the United States and internationally. The last U.S. Presidents Cup was held in 2017 at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey. That event was extremely popular and did end up selling out well ahead of time. The most recent Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia in 2019 also sold out quickly.
Demand for tickets at the last several Presidents Cups shows that they are highly coveted and sought after by golf fans. Limited ticket allotments for the events typically result in early sellouts. The Presidents Cup features 24 of the world’s top golfers, including many major champions, competing in match play format. It provides a level of access and excitement that fans crave.
What is the Presidents Cup venue capacity?
The Presidents Cup will utilize the expanded main stadium course at Quail Hollow Club which underwent renovations in 2021 specifically to enhance the spectator experience for the event. The course was stretched to 7600 yards and spectator mounding and seating areas were expanded. Thousands of temporary grandstands and skyboxes will be erected around each hole and corporate hospitality structures will be set up.
When fully built out, Quail Hollow will be able to accommodate upwards of 50,000 spectators each day. Compared to a normal PGA Tour event crowd of 10,000-20,000 people, the Presidents Cup features massive crowds. Each team also brings tours and families that require additional tickets. Corporate sponsors and clients receive blocks of tickets as well.
The sheer volume of people a Presidents Cup hosts is enormous. With a crowd limit of 50,000 per day over the course of 5 days, Quail Hollow could see 250,000 attendees for the week. Selling out an event of that magnitude is difficult and would likely require high demand.
What factors will impact Presidents Cup ticket sales?
There are several key factors that will influence whether or not the Presidents Cup sells out:
– Strength of teams – big name players like Tiger Woods on the U.S. team generate significant interest. Less star power could affect demand.
– Timing – the event falls during a busy sports period. Other football, baseball, events may limit golf interest.
– Corporate sales – much of the inventory is tied to corporate hospitality packages. Weak corporate spending could reduce capacity.
– Location – being held in the southeast instead of major cities may limit traveling fans. But Quail Hollow is a major PGA Tour stop.
– Weather – with the event held outdoors in late September, weather could dampen ticket sales closer to the event if the forecast is poor.
– Price – the Presidents Cup has top tier pricing. Cost prohibits some fans from attending which limits overall demand.
– Competition – if matches lack drama and end early, crowds may shrink as the week continues. Close, competitive matches keep fans engaged.
If some or all of these factors underperform, it will be difficult for the event to completely sell out. But top players, good weather and competitive golf could fuel higher sales.
How quickly do Presidents Cup tickets sell out?
It’s difficult to predict exactly how quickly the Presidents Cup will sell out tickets for 2023. Much depends on the initial demand once tickets go on sale to the general public. Here is how quickly previous recent Presidents Cups sold out:
– 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National – sold out 7 months in advance
– 2015 Presidents Cup at Incheon Country Club – sold out 5 months in advance
– 2013 Presidents Cup at Muirfield Village – sold out 4 months in advance
Based on these timelines, a saleout timeframe of 4-7 months seems reasonable for the 2023 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow if demand remains high. Given tickets just went on sale in mid-February, an early sellout might happen sometime between June and September.
However, if corporate sales and overall demand is slower, it may take up to the week of the event for all tickets to be gone. The Covid-19 pandemic impacted ticket sales over the past two years, so historical trends may not fully apply.
Who buys Presidents Cup tickets?
There are several key demographics and groups that purchase the bulk of Presidents Cup tickets:
– Local fans – hailing from Charlotte and the Carolinas. Want to see the event without traveling.
– International fans – supporters of International team players like Australians for Adam Scott or South Africans for Louis Oosthuizen. Willing to travel to see their favorite players.
– Golf fans – avid golf supporters eager to watch elite match play up close. Typical PGA Tour ticket buyers.
– Corporate Sponsors – companies buy thousands of tickets for client entertainment and hospitality. Generate significant revenue.
– VIPs/Celebrities – wealthy individuals and sports stars wanting premium access. Add prestige and visibility.
– Secondary market – ticket brokers and resellers buy up inventory hoping to sell at a profit if demand spikes.
Capturing sales across these various segments will be key for a sellout. Relatively small crowds of dedicated golf fans alone won’t push the event to capacity. Mass appeal and diverse fan interest is required.
What does a Presidents Cup sellout mean for attendance?
If the 2023 Presidents Cup does officially sell out, what would that mean for overall tournament attendance?
With a capacity of 50,000 spectators per day, a sellout would generate 250,000 total attendees based on 5 full days of competition. However, selling out doesn’t guarantee that number will actually be reached.
VIP ticket sales don’t always translate into filled seats as corporate buyers may not use all their allocated spots. Weather issues or uncompetitive matches could also lower turnout as the week goes on. Previous Presidents Cups have seen attendance drop to around 30,000-40,000 on less popular days like Monday and Tuesday.
A reasonable expectation even with a sellout would be to see average daily crowds of 45,000-50,000 for the busiest days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and 35,000-40,000 for the others. This would mean a total attendance for the week in the range of 225,000.
Getting 45,000-50,000 fans on-site each day would still make it one of the best attended golf events in history. And it would give Quail Hollow an incredible atmosphere for the matches.
Conclusion
The 2023 Presidents Cup has the potential to be a complete sellout based on previous demand and the spectacular venue at Quail Hollow. But larger economic factors and waning interest in the event itself could also diminish ticket sales. An early sellout seems plausible but far from guaranteed at this point.
Moving forward, the key factors to watch will be corporate ticket purchases, team selections, and ongoing fan excitement. As long as the economy cooperates and fans remain engaged, Quail Hollow should be packed with huge crowds cheering on the U.S. and International teams this September. A Presidents Cup sellout would be a huge achievement and provide an unforgettable experience for all involved.
Presidents Cup Year | Location | Days to Sellout |
---|---|---|
2023 | Quail Hollow Club | TBD |
2021 | Quail Hollow Club | Postponed (COVID-19) |
2019 | Royal Melbourne Golf Club | 60 days |
2017 | Liberty National Golf Club | 210 days |
2015 | Incheon Country Club | 150 days |