With so much to weigh up – not to mention around 40 DP World Tour golf tournaments to choose from each year – it can be helpful to have a handy guide to take you the process, with key information and top tips for new and experienced ticket buyers alike.
- Choosing Which DP World Tour Event to Attend
- When Do DP World Tour Tickets Go on Sale?
- Where to Buy DP World Tour Tickets
- Types of DP World Tour Tickets Available
- DP World Tour Ticket Prices
- Ticket Delivery
- Planning Parking & Travel for a DP World Tour Event
- Booking Accommodation When Attending a DP World Tour Event
- Top Tips for Buying DP World Tour Tickets
Choosing Which DP World Tour Event to Attend
Although the DP World Tour might just be the sponsorship name for the European Tour, it is an apt one – no longer just restricted to Europe, the Tour encompasses events around the world. As well as classic and continental locations such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, and Spain, the Tour also makes stops in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Australia, India, China, and many more countries each year. You can find the full DP World Tour calendar here.
Aside from South America (and, of course, Antarctica), there’s at least one event on every continent, so there’s no shortage of options for golf fans. As such, when it comes to picking which to watch in person, considerations might vary from a local day out, to a long weekend away, to incorporating it into a longer international trip. Even if a tournament is relatively local to you, given the early starts and late finishes required with golf events, accommodation often needs to be factored in.
You may simply want to see your favourite player in action. For example, if you want to see Rory McIlroy’s short game firsthand, you may need to either leave it until relatively late to secure your tickets once his attendance at an event has been confirmed, or opt for larger tournaments such as the BMW PGA Championship or the DP World Tour Championship where he’s almost certain to be competing. As McIlroy and many of the other big players split their time with the PGA Tour, you can’t always rely on them attending smaller, less notable competitions. You can find a full guide to the DP World Tour schedule here.
When Do DP World Tour Tickets Go on Sale?
DP World Tour ticket sales vary greatly from event to event. Some events such as the BMW PGA Championship, British Masters, and Scottish Open go on sale immediately after the previous edition has concluded, so a full year in advance, while others can range from anywhere between 1-6 months prior. You can add an event to your favourites at Koobit to receive a notification when tickets go on sale, so you’ll be covered regardless.
In some cases, events may stagger the release of tickets, making general admission grounds tickets available first and then hospitality at a later date, or vice versa. It’s common for tickets to initially be on sale at a discounted early bird price, so it can be beneficial to buy early, even if you’re securing general admission tickets which rarely – if ever – sell out. Hospitality can often sell out in advance of the tournament.
Where to Buy DP World Tour Tickets
Primary Sellers
Although a number of events act as the primary seller themselves via their own sales platform, the DP World Tour itself is the primary ticket supplier for many tournaments. Sales are typically handled online, although some events may also make them available at the gate. Some tournaments are even free to attend, but whether you need to register online in advance or simply gain entry upon arrival will vary.
Resellers
Resale tickets are usually very limited in availability for DP World Tour events. DP World Tour event organisers advise against purchasing resale tickets for their competitions.
Types of DP World Tour Tickets Available
Most DP World Tour events will have between 1 and 3 ticket types available. At either end of the scale are general admission and hospitality; although some might offer multiple hospitality options to choose from, it’s typically a more straightforward choice compared with stadium-based events where there can often be a wide range of standard and premium seating options on offer. Some events also offer a 3rd, middle choice sometimes known as “Ticket+”, offering more than just general admission but not quite a full hospitality experience.
General Admission
Often referred to as Grounds or Gallery tickets, these provide general entry into the tournament grounds on the selected day or days. Spectators can walk the length of the course, follow their favourite players as they complete their round, or set up at a particular hole and watch different groups as they play through – you're afforded complete flexibility. Most events will have public fan areas, sometimes referred to as Championship Villages, where you can find food and drinks outlets, merchandise, and activities.
As regular golf players or attendees will know, some courses are easier to navigate than others. While players might have the luxury of taking a golf cart from hole to hole, spectators may need to do a lot of walking and should be prepared to be on their feet for much of the day, often with little to no cover from the elements. If you prefer to set up shop at a popular hole, it can be difficult to get a clear view of areas such as tee boxes and greens unless you’re in the front row or two back from the ropes.
Ticket+
Some events offer an upgraded option usually known as Ticket+, which not only provides grounds access but also entry into a premium viewing platform out on the course. These areas typically feature a private bar and an elevated view of a particular hole. In some cases, some complimentary concessions may also be included, although this is generally in a limited capacity such as a voucher, rather than all-inclusive. These tickets will cost more than general admission, but they are usually much more affordable than full hospitality.
Hospitality
DP World Tour hospitality typically consists of access to a premium pavilion or viewing terrace overlooking a particular hole, or clubhouse access. You’ll generally find shelter from the elements here, with many either being partially or fully covered. Some are open air, while others may even be climate-controlled or a mix of both. Within these spaces, guests will usually find a variety of seating options, including table seating, bar-style seating, or stadium-style seating, and enjoy all-inclusive premium food and beverages for an elevated experience.
Some events won’t offer any public hospitality options, while others may have several to choose from at different price ranges. Private hospitality is typically a corporate option, often for large numbers of people.
DP World Tour Ticket Prices
DP World Tour ticket prices can vary significantly from event to event depending on a range of factors, including the size of the tournament and the country in which it’s being held. Smaller events or those held around Asia can often be significantly cheaper or even free to attend, while larger competitions such as those held in the United Kingdom can be comparatively more expensive, although the DP World Tour is generally cheaper to attend than average compared with the PGA Tour.
Like the PGA Tour, tickets are generally priced per day, but it’s often possible to buy multi-day tickets covering the weekend or the entire tournament, which usually work out cheaper compared with buying tickets individually if you do plan on attending more than one day of the competition.
Depending on the event and the ticket type you purchase, you might pay nothing or in excess of GBP £500.
Ticket Prices by Ticket Type
As discussed above, General Admission/Grounds tickets are invariably the most affordable on offer at any DP World Tour event and in some cases can be ordered for free. At the top end, they may cost £45 to £55 for adults.
When available, Ticket+ will usually range from £100 to £160 depending on the event and the day in question. Meanwhile, hospitality can range wildly from around £200 per person to £800 depending on the exact offering.
Ticket Prices by Country
With the DP World Tour typically visiting more than 20 different countries each year, there’s significant variation in ticket pricing from event to event.
The Indian Open, for example, is typically free to attend with no tickets or pre-booking required, while the Italian Open and some Middle Eastern events such as the Ras Al Khaimah Championship have free General Admission tickets that do need to be ordered in advance. Entry into events such as the Mauritius Open or Kenya Open might cost as little as £6.
Meanwhile, events in the United Kingdom and Ireland, such as the British Masters, Scottish Open, Irish Open, and BMW PGA Championship, are usually the most expensive to attend, with adult General Admission tickets ranging from around £25 to £55.
Finding Cheap Tickets
As discussed above, there are usually several events each season which are either free or very cheap to attend, but any savings will be offset by travel and accommodation costs if they’re not local to you.
If you’re able to attend on Thursdays or Fridays, these are often cheaper compared with the weekend; occasionally pro-am or practice round access on Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be open to the public, and this tends to be even more affordable. If you’re hoping to attend a full tournament or at least multiple days, multi-day/full-tournament season tickets invariably provide a cost-saving per day.
Tickets for children, seniors, and carers are often discounted or free, so if you’re attending as a family it can make for a significantly more affordable experience compared with other sporting events.
To help you get the best price possible, Koobit compares prices from a range of primary and secondary sellers, so you can make an informed purchasing decision.
Ticket Delivery
DP World Tour tickets are usually delivered as E-tickets, although for some you may be able to print them off to bring with you to the gate.
In some cases, the tickets might be delivered immediately, while for other events they may not send them out until a few weeks prior to the tournament – double-check on the supplier’s page when you make your purchase.
Planning Parking & Travel for a DP World Tour Event
Many DP World Tour events will offer event parking either on-site or relatively close by as a Park & Ride system with shuttle transportation. In some cases, parking will be free or included in your ticket price, while at others it may need to be booked or purchased separately. When parking is paid, it does not tend to be too expensive, typically costing between £5 and £10 per day, and it can often be booked in advance for convenience. If you’re attending an event with family or friends, carpooling is highly recommended to keep costs and congestion down.
With golf courses typically located out in the countryside or on the outskirts of towns and cities, arrival by car is usually the most convenient method of transport, whether you’re driving there yourself or being dropped off by family, friends, or a rideshare service. Public transport availability can vary significantly from city to city and country to country, and with the DP World Tour spanning events across the globe, some events will be far more readily accessible than others.
Booking Accommodation When Attending a DP World Tour Event
If you want to make the most of your day at a golf event, it pays to get there early in the morning. Depending on the event, gates might open sometime between 06:30 and 08:00, and play can easily last until late afternoon or early evening, around 18:00, not to mention some events may have post-play entertainment such as live music. Given the early start and potentially late finish, many spectators might want to book nearby accommodation unless they live locally to the course; this will also be a given if you’ve travelled internationally to an event.
Many golf courses will have hotels, Airbnbs, and other such accommodations close by, so finding somewhere to stay will rarely be difficult, especially if you book early. Given other spectators will also have a similar need for accommodation, local hotels are likely to fill up quickly, so planning your trip and booking in advance is usually a good idea. Prices can vary enormously between cities and countries, and local pricing might increase the week of a tournament particularly if it’s a regular annual event in the area.
Top Tips for Buying DP World Tour Tickets
- Buying tickets early will usually net you the best price
- Some events are free to attend
- Weekday tickets are often cheaper than weekend tickets
- Kids are usually free – bring the family!
- Hospitality tickets can be great for ensuring you’re sheltered from the elements and usually include food and beverages
- Golf rounds have an early start and a relatively late finish – stay close by if you can
- Arrival by car is almost always the most convenient method of transport