The Players Championship is one of the most prestigious events on the PGA Tour. It is often referred to as the “fifth major” due to its prestige, prize money, and strength of field. The tournament is held annually in March at the TPC Sawgrass course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
One of the unique aspects of attending The Players Championship is the stadium pass. This allows fans a tremendous amount of flexibility and access during tournament week. Essentially, a stadium pass is an upgraded ticket that grants you access to multiple areas on the course for the entire week.
There are several benefits that a stadium pass offers as opposed to a standard daily grounds ticket. With a stadium pass, you can come and go from the tournament as you please and visit multiple areas. This provides fans with a more customizable experience rather than being restricted to one location per day.
Access Areas
So what areas can you access with a stadium pass? There are several zones around the TPC Sawgrass course that stadium pass holders can visit.
Main Stadium
The Main Stadium surrounds the famous 17th hole on the Stadium Course. This is the iconic island green par 3 that has water surrounding it on all sides. The stadium atmosphere here is incredible, with grandstands wrapping around the hole. Fans with a stadium pass can sit in any open seat in the stadium area.
Clubhouse Area
Near the Main Stadium is the spacious clubhouse area. This features upscale restaurants, concession stands, and merchandise shops. Stadium pass holders have access to this area all week long.
Par-3 Practice Area
Adjacent to the clubhouse is the scenic Par-3 Practice Area. Fans can watch golfers working on their short game as they aim for the small practice greens. Stadium passes allow entry here to watch your favorite players sharpen their skills.
Dye’s Valley Course
Located near holes 8-10 of the Stadium Course is the Dye’s Valley Course. This is actually a separate course at TPC Sawgrass that also holds a practice range. With a stadium pass, you can walk the scenic cart paths to follow featured groups playing the front nine of the Stadium Course.
Other Access
In addition, stadium pass holders can visit concession stands throughout the course, use grandstands near tees and greens, and enter the Patriot’s Outpost to watch featured groups tee off on hole 1.
When Does the Stadium Pass Grant Access?
An important aspect of the stadium pass is knowing when you can use it during tournament week. Here is an overview of the daily access:
| Day | Access |
|---|---|
| Monday | Full course access for practice rounds |
| Tuesday | Full course access for practice rounds |
| Wednesday | Full course access for practice rounds & Pro-Am tournament |
| Thursday | Access to watch Round 1 tournament play |
| Friday | Access to watch Round 2 tournament play |
| Saturday | Access to watch Round 3 tournament play |
| Sunday | Access to watch final round tournament play |
As you can see, the pass will grant you course access from Monday through Sunday tournament week. This allows you to see players on the practice range, walk the course, and attend the Pro-Am event before official tournament play begins.
Key Benefit
One of the best benefits is that you can leave and re-enter with the same stadium pass throughout each day. This lets you go out to your car, hotel, or nearby restaurants without losing access. Standard daily tickets only grant one-time access per day.
Where Can You Purchase a Stadium Pass?
There are a few different options to purchase a stadium pass for The Players Championship:
Directly from Tournament
You can buy stadium passes directly from The Players Championship website. Passes are available as part of ticket packages or individually. Buying directly from the tournament is the only way to guarantee authentic passes.
Resellers
There are several ticket reseller websites like StubHub and VividSeats that sell stadium passes. These are resold from other fans and availability varies leading up to the tournament. Prices fluctuate based on demand.
Ticket Packages
Some hotels, golf resorts, and travel packages will offer bundled deals with tournament tickets included. These sometimes feature stadium passes as part of a multi-day package.
Practice Rounds
Monday through Wednesday of tournament week only offer practice round tickets. These do not grant stadium access for tournament play. Make sure you are purchasing a Thursday through Sunday stadium pass for access during competitive rounds.
How Much Do Stadium Passes Cost?
The exact pricing for stadium passes varies year-to-year and based on demand. In general, here are the price ranges you can expect:
| Pass Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Weekly (Mon-Sun) | $200 – $400 |
| Thursday/Friday | $100 – $200 per day |
| Saturday | $100 – $250 |
| Sunday | $100 – $300 |
Weekly passes will be the most expensive option, but offer the greatest number of days. Single day passes get pricier as the tournament progresses, with Sunday being the most expensive. Kids age 15 and under can get stadium passes for $50-75 per day with a ticketed adult.
Where Does the Stadium Pass Ticket Money Go?
The revenue generated from stadium pass sales contributes to the tournament’s overall charitable donations. Here is a breakdown of how the money is allocated:
- The Players Championship Tournament – General operating budget, promotions, amenities
- PGA Tour – Helps fund Tour events and operations
- Charities – The Players Championship has generated over $100 million for charities
- First Tee – Youth golf initiative gets 10% of tournament revenue
- Course Improvements – Facility upgrades to TPC Sawgrass
So while buying a stadium pass gives you an amazing live golf experience, the money also goes towards good causes. Over 400 charities have benefitted from proceeds from The Players Championship over the years.
Stadium Pass Perks
Along with unlimited access in the stadium zones, here are some other benefits and perks that come with stadium passes:
VIP Parking
Stadium pass holders can park in the convenient VIP parking lots near the clubhouse. This perk saves you time and makes access more seamless.
Access to The Porch
The Porch is a stylish open-air lounge near the 17th hole overlooking the 16th green. Fans must have a stadium pass to access The Porch and enjoy refreshments here.
PGA Tour Shop Discounts
Show your stadium pass at the PGA Tour Shops on-site to receive discounts on apparel and merchandise. Discounts typically range from 10-25% off.
Food and Beverage Discounts
Many food and drink concession stands will offer discounts to stadium pass holders throughout the week. For example, you may get $1 off beer or 10% off meal purchases.
Players Autograph Area Access
Those with a stadium pass can access the designated player autograph areas to get signatures from their favorite golfers after rounds.
Key Notes & Restrictions
While stadium passes offer great freedom, there are some notes and restrictions to keep in mind:
- Must wear pass visible at all times
- Lost or stolen passes are not replaceable
- Resold passes may be rendered invalid
- Passes are non-refundable and non-transferrable
- Bring a mobile ticket or print pass for entry
- Dye’s Valley access ends at 2pm on tournament days
- The Players reserves right to modify access privileges
Make sure to protect your pass and follow all posted rules and regulations. Having your pass visible at all times will allow easy entry into stadium zones and facilities.
Conclusion
A stadium pass is the ultimate way for golf fans to experience The Players Championship. It grants you access to walk the course, sit in open seats, and get up close to PGA Tour stars – all with the freedom to come and go from multiple zones. While a bigger investment than single day tickets, the flexibility and perks make it well worth the price of admission for many.
From the electric atmosphere of the 17th hole stadium to special access like The Porch lounge, a stadium pass lets you take in all the action and amenities at TPC Sawgrass. Just be sure to get your passes early direct from the tournament, as they sell out quickly each year. With a stadium pass in hand you’ll be set for an unforgettable week at one of golf’s iconic events.
