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A detailed view of a beverage hosting a rubber duck during the opening ceremony for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 24, 2025.
The Ryder Cup is no stranger to headlines, and the 2025 edition at Bethpage Black in New York is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about in history. From sky-high ticket sales to the latest debates over concessions, the focus has shifted beyond the fairways and onto fans’ wallets.
While golf is traditionally seen as a premium sport with premium experiences, many supporters are asking whether prices for food and drinks at Bethpage have gone too far. For many, attending the Ryder Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime event, but with beers topping $15 and cocktails climbing close to $20, the question becomes whether fans are being priced out of fully enjoying the spectacle.
Ticket Shock Before the Food
The buzz around pricing didn’t start with the menu; it began with the tickets. General admission for the main Ryder Cup playing days in 2025 hovers around $750, which is significantly higher than the average cost at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. Some premium three-day passes have surged past the $4,000 mark on resale platforms, while even a Friday ticket can climb above $1,200.
To soften the blow, organizers rolled out the “Ryder Cup+” ticket package. This tier includes unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages, giving fans the chance to avoid being nickel-and-dimed once inside. It’s a clever move, but it still leaves alcohol–often the most popular item on the menu–at premium prices that have many shaking their heads.
A look at some of the prices for beer, wine and cocktails at the Ryder Cup.
Fans get free drinks (non-alcoholic) and food with their ticket, one of the best deals in golf pic.twitter.com/YN5KyFLP63
— Cameron Jourdan (@Cam_Jourdan) September 24, 2025
Premium Pricing for Premium Brands
Alcohol is where the sticker shock really hits. A 16-ounce Michelob Ultra will run fans $15, while the larger 25-ounce can goes for $18. For those who prefer premium beers, the price tag rises to $16 for 16 ounces and $19 for 25 ounces. Even in New York, where stadium and event drinks tend to be expensive, those numbers stand out.
Cocktails push the limits further. Prices range between $17.50 and $19.50, making them some of the priciest drinks at any sporting event in the U.S. One of the highlighted offerings, the “All-American Transfusion,” mixes vodka, grape, ginger, lime, and club soda with a lime garnish, but fans will pay nearly $20 for the privilege. And if champagne is more your style, prepare to part with $22 for a Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut.
What’s Included: Ryder Cup + Food Options
Those who opt for Ryder Cup+ tickets will find some relief in the inclusive menu. Offerings range from ham on ciabatta and grilled chicken sandwiches to vegan salads, hot dogs, chips, cookies, and snack bars. Fans can return to the food markets as often as they like, making it one of the few areas where attendees feel they’re getting value for money.
Ryder Cup fans get free food and non-alcoholic beverages for their $750 general admission tickets this weekend.
Here’s what their unlimited grab-and-go offering looks like.
Still, the absence of alcohol in the all-inclusive package has sparked criticism. Many argue that if ticket prices are already skyrocketing, fans should at least be entitled to more than just soda, water, and snacks. Others counter that unlimited food and soft drinks do help balance the experience, especially for families attending together.
A Fans’ Perspective
The reaction among fans has been mixed. Some die-hard golf enthusiasts argue that it’s a small price to pay for a chance to witness one of the sport’s most iconic competitions. They point out that major sporting events across the U.S., from the Super Bowl to the U.S. Open in tennis, are notorious for expensive concessions.
The Ryder Cup is giving all spectators free concessions for the first time.
This is the line for free breakfast at the 14th green before a shot had even been played.pic.twitter.com/kTBhLycczZ
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) September 26, 2025
On the other side, many see it as blatant profiteering. For fans who have already paid several hundred–or even thousands–for a ticket, the idea of dropping another $20 on a beer feels insulting. On social media, discussions around the Ryder Cup menu have gone viral, with many joking that they’ll need a second mortgage just to enjoy a drink while following their favorite golfers.
Context & Comparisons
Concession prices at major sporting events are always a hot topic, but the Ryder Cup 2025 menu appears to push the envelope further than most. Even at NFL games, where beer prices are often steep, the average 16-ounce beer usually sits between $11 and $13. By comparison, Bethpage’s $15-$16 pricing places it firmly at the top of the food chain.
When combined with the cost of travel, lodging, and merchandise, the total fan expense for Ryder Cup week can easily climb into several thousand dollars. This raises a larger question: is the Ryder Cup becoming an event for only the wealthy, leaving everyday golf fans priced out?
Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski
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