The Ryder Cup is one of the most high-profile golfing events in the world — but this year the fanfare around it may get even more attention than the actual sport. (And no, it’s not just because Donald Trump is expected to make an appearance.)
This year’s Cup, held at Long Island’s Bethpage Black Golf Course Sept. 26-28, will be the biggest buildout of a sporting event ever, outside the Olympics.
Fifteen helipads have been constructed to accommodate guests, with some 3,000 people expected to shuttle in and out by helicopter. More than 1.5 square miles of tenting and flooring are being added for the weekend’s 100,000 ticket holders.
And people are willingly paying to pay a premium for privilege. Ticket prices jumped some 350%, from $185 to $660, since the last Ryder Cup held in the US, in 2021 — and this year’s were gone within a week of going on sale.
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The hospitality passes that companies buy to host clients, which can cost up to eight figures, have been sold out since February.
This is the first time the Ryder Cup, which was launched in 1927 and is a biennial event switching between Europe and the US, has been held on Long Island. While the European events are traditionally held in cities like Paris, America has lately chosen more under-the radar-locales — most recently in Wisconsin.
In honor of the event, both Ralph Lauren (which outfits the American team) and Loro Piana (which outfits the European team) are launching capsule retail collections with items like $1,000 Ryder Cup sweaters.
And unlike at most golfing events, it’s not unusual to experience cheering, chants and even costumes.
