Ryder Cup 2025: Fans Face $15 Beer Prices That’ll Make Your Wallet Weep

If you thought golf was an expensive hobby before, wait until you hear about the beverage prices at this year’s Ryder Cup. Fans attending the prestigious tournament at Bethpage Black Course are discovering that a simple beer will cost them a whopping $15 – and that’s for the cheap stuff. Welcome to 2025, where apparently everything costs more than your monthly Netflix subscription, including a single can of Michelob Ultra.

The 2025 Ryder Cup has already made headlines for all the wrong reasons when it comes to pricing. Daily admission tickets are running fans approximately $750, which represents a staggering $500 increase from the 2023 Rome tournament. But hey, at least they’re throwing in “free” food to soften the blow of essentially requiring a small loan to watch some golf.

What You Get for Your Sky-High Ticket Price

Here’s where things get interesting – and by interesting, I mean organizers are trying to justify those astronomical ticket prices. Every spectator with a Ryder Cup+ ticket (which is basically everyone, since all grounds tickets qualify) gets access to unlimited complimentary food and non-alcoholic beverages. Think of it as an overpriced all-you-can-eat buffet where you also happen to watch some world-class golf.

The free food selection isn’t terrible, honestly. You can grab ham on ciabatta, vegan salads, breakfast biscuits, Italian sausage, grilled chicken sandwiches, all-beef hot dogs, and cheeseburgers. For snacks, there are chips, cookies, and snack bars available at various “markets” scattered throughout the course. The drink options include water, Pepsi, and Gatorade – basically everything except what most golf fans actually want to drink while watching golf.

The Real Sticker Shock: Alcoholic Beverages

Now let’s talk about the real elephant in the room – alcohol prices that would make a Vegas casino blush. A 16-ounce can of Michelob Ultra will set you back $15, while a 25-ounce can jumps to $18. Want something fancier? Premium beers will cost you an extra dollar, because apparently regular overpriced beer isn’t quite overpriced enough.

For the brave souls looking to really blow their budget, cocktails range from $17.50 to $19.50. The “All-American Transfusion” – a mix of vodka, grape, ginger, lime, club soda, and lime garnish – sits at the top of that price range. At nearly $20 for a cocktail, you might want to consider whether you really need that liquid courage to watch Rory McIlroy miss another crucial putt.

High Noon Tequila Seltzers are available for $16, which seems almost reasonable in this alternate reality where everything costs twice what it should. And if you’re feeling particularly wealthy, a Moet and Chandon Imperial Brut champagne will only cost you $22. Because nothing says “I’m fiscally responsible” like buying champagne at a golf tournament.

The Fine Print That Actually Makes Sense

Credit where credit’s due – organizers aren’t completely trying to fleece attendees with the food program. The official Ryder Cup website states there’s no limit on how many times ticket holders can return to the food markets. However, they’ve included some sensible language about preventing abuse of the system, noting that “excessive utilization” could result in access being revoked. Translation: don’t be the person trying to feed your entire extended family with your single ticket.

This unlimited access policy actually makes the ticket price sting a little less. If you’re planning to spend the entire day at Bethpage, you could theoretically eat several meals and stay hydrated without spending another dime (on non-alcoholic items, anyway).

Secondary Market Madness

Think the official prices are bad? The secondary market will really make you question your life choices. StubHub currently lists three-day passes from Friday through Sunday at $4,300. Yes, you read that correctly – over four grand to watch golf for three days. The cheapest single-day Friday ticket is running $1,200, which is more than many people spend on their entire monthly rent.

The only silver lining comes from practice round pricing, which has actually dropped significantly. Wednesday admission has fallen to around $105, and Thursday tickets have seen similar reductions from their original $250 price tag. Apparently, even golf fans have their limits when it comes to paying premium prices to watch practice shots.

Why These Prices Matter for Golf Fans

The pricing strategy at the 2025 Ryder Cup represents something larger happening in professional golf – the sport’s ongoing struggle with accessibility. While including food and non-alcoholic beverages with admission is a nice gesture, the overall cost of attendance is pricing out many fans who would love to experience this premier golf event.

The $15 beer price point is particularly galling when you consider that many NFL stadiums charge less for beer, and they’re dealing with much larger crowds and higher overhead costs. At Bethpage, you’re essentially paying luxury prices for what amounts to outdoor concession stand service.

The Bottom Line on Ryder Cup Pricing

Look, the Ryder Cup is undoubtedly one of golf’s premier events, and there’s something to be said for the unique atmosphere and world-class competition. But when a single beer costs more than some people spend on lunch for an entire week, it’s fair to question whether the pricing has gotten completely out of hand.

The “free” food inclusion is a nice touch that does add value to the overall experience, especially for fans planning to spend the entire day at the course. However, it’s hard to view anything as truly “free” when you’ve already paid $750 just to walk through the gates.

For fans determined to attend despite the sticker shock, the advice is simple: eat early, eat often, and maybe consider pregaming a bit more than usual. Because at $15 per beer, your wallet is going to need all the help it can get to survive this particular golf outing.

The 2025 Ryder Cup beer prices perfectly encapsulate modern sports economics – premium events commanding premium prices, regardless of whether fans think those prices make any sense. Whether this pricing strategy ultimately helps or hurts the long-term growth of golf as a spectator sport remains to be seen.