Over the last few years, ticket prices at The Open Championship have increased. For weekend admission in general, it costs an adult north of £100 to come through the gates.
For the most part, that is more expensive than going to a Premier League football match, but is it worth it for a day on the links?
The team at NCG has clashed on this subject throughout Open week, so we’ve put the debate into words:
Are The Open ticket prices too steep?
A three-figure price for a full day at The Open is value!
Ticket prices for The Open have gradually increased since my first visit to Royal St. George’s in 2011. I couldn’t say how much my ticket would’ve been at age 13, but I doubt it was more than £40, writes Matt Chivers.
Now over 25 years old, tickets are well over £100. This represents a steep rise in price, but I have no complaints.
You can arrive at The Open at 7.00 am and leave at 8 pm. That is 13 hours of watching the best golfers on the planet on one of the best golf courses in the country. You’re only doing yourself a disservice by turning up for a few hours.
There are very few sporting events at which you can spend literally half a day, basking in the sunshine and watching the icons you see on television in person. Some people go to watch football for the same price which lasts less than two hours.
The proximity to the players is the best thing about The Open. You can almost reach out and touch Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka (Not that I ever have, or would)
Sitting behind Tiger Woods stripe a driver down the fairway at golf’s oldest major is a priceless experience, and although he isn’t here this year, it only takes a couple of moments at The Open to make your ticket feel like a bargain.
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The ticket price is reasonable, it’s everything else that adds up
Admittedly, £100 for a ticket to watch The Open isn’t outrageous, says Matt Coles.. If anything, it’s good value compared to ticket prices in other sports.
That’s only if you walk around, though. For me, if you’re spending £100 to get a spot in a grandstand and just sit there all day, that is not good value. You can get much cheaper tickets to watch the Premier League, or a Test match.
Then, you have to factor in the price of the entire day, and that is where it starts to go downhill, in my opinion.
£100 or so is great value for what could easily turn into a long day of live golf. But there is the food and drink to add on, and if you are there for 12 hours, then it will take a lot out of your wallet.
As with all sporting events, it isn’t cheap. Bring the whole family and you’ll be spending at least another £100-150 on food and drink throughout the day.
If you bring your own food, and you intend to walk around and see as much of the golf course as possible, then you’re doing it right!
However, sit in one spot and spend a load on refreshments, then you’re not getting good value for money.
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