WM Phoenix Open 2026: Your Guide to Golf at TPC Scottsdale

The WM Phoenix Open is the PGA Tour’s loudest, liveliest party, and in 2026 it returns to the famous Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale. Often called “The People’s Open,” this golf tournament pairs world-class play with a festival atmosphere you will not find anywhere else on tour. If you are a golf fan or just love a great event, here is everything you need to know to plan your visit.

Key Highlights

• The tournament is held at the iconic TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course.
• It is “The Greenest Show on Grass,” billed as the world’s largest zero-waste sporting event, thanks to title sponsor WM.
• The Coors Light Birds Nest concert series brings major headliners each night.
• PGA Tour stars compete on a challenging course famous for its electric 16th stadium hole.
• The week is packed with Pro-Ams, celebrity moments, and free-admission days early in the week.

What Makes the WM Phoenix Open Special

Hundreds of thousands of fans pour into the Sonoran Desert each year for this event, making it one of the best-attended tournaments in golf. The Stadium Course is built for big moments and lets fans get remarkably close to the action. Add in legendary crowd energy and a strong environmental mission, and the WM Phoenix Open becomes far more than a golf competition.

Venue and Schedule

The tournament is played at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, a premier PGA Tour venue. The week builds from practice rounds and Pro-Ams into four days of official tournament play from Thursday through Sunday. Early in the week typically features free general admission, which is a great low-key chance to see the pros up close. Always confirm the current year’s dates and daily schedule on the official tournament site before you plan around them.

Tickets, Parking, and Getting There

Tickets for the WM Phoenix Open are sold through the official tournament website, wmphoenixopen.com. Options range from general admission to VIP and hospitality packages, and prices vary by day, so check the site for current pricing.

Getting there is straightforward:

• Park at the WestWorld lots or at Salt River Fields, then catch a free shuttle to the gates.
• Rideshare drop-off and pickup is set up near the main gate and along Bell Road.
• Carpooling cuts down on traffic and makes the trip easier in and out.

Highlights and Experiences at TPC Scottsdale

People come for the golf, but they remember the atmosphere. The WM Phoenix Open feels like a week-long celebration with something happening every day.

The Legendary 16th Hole

The beating heart of the tournament is the par-3 16th. Wrapped in grandstands on all sides, it becomes a roaring coliseum that fans call “the loudest hole in golf.” For players, every shot there carries an electricity unlike anything else on tour, and for fans it is the spot everyone wants to experience.

Concerts and Celebrity Events

When the golf wraps for the day, the Coors Light Birds Nest keeps the party going with top musical acts (this 21-and-up venue features a different lineup each year). Throughout the week you will also find marquee concerts and celebrity Pro-Ams featuring stars from sports, music, and entertainment playing alongside PGA pros.

Family-Friendly Activities

The event is not only about the party. Free-admission days early in the week welcome everyone onto the grounds, and family-focused activities like trick-shot shows and Q&A sessions with pros make it accessible for all ages. VIP venues across the course offer elevated views, food and drink, and a more private way to take in the action.

”The Greenest Show on Grass”

One of the things that sets the WM Phoenix Open apart is its commitment to sustainability. As title sponsor, WM leads an effort to run the event as the world’s largest zero-waste sporting event, with materials recycled, composted, donated, or converted to energy rather than sent to landfill.

Key practices include:

• Recycling and compost stations throughout the Stadium Course
• Vendor requirements for compostable or recyclable service ware, eliminating single-use plastic
• Water conservation measures suited to the desert setting
• Fan education and community donation programs, including a “Green Out” day tied to charitable giving

It is a genuine example of how a major sporting event can entertain hundreds of thousands of people while still protecting the environment.

The Stadium Course

The WM Phoenix Open is played on the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf, with a later Weiskopf renovation. It is a desert-style, par-71 layout that runs over 7,200 yards and tests every part of a player’s game. The course rewards bold shots but punishes mistakes, which is exactly what makes the finish so dramatic.

The closing stretch is where things get wild:

• Hole 16: A short par-3 surrounded by thousands of loud fans, possibly the most nerve-racking shot in golf.
• Hole 17: A drivable par-4 that tempts players toward eagle while water and sand make every choice a gamble.
• Hole 18: A demanding par-4 with water down the left, a fitting finish under huge crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WM Phoenix Open a golf tournament?

Yes. The WM Phoenix Open (formerly the Waste Management Phoenix Open) is a PGA Tour golf tournament held at TPC Scottsdale. “WM” refers to Waste Management, the title sponsor.

How do I buy tickets?

Tickets, including general admission and VIP packages, are available through the official tournament website at wmphoenixopen.com. Volunteer and participation details are also posted there as the event approaches.

Where should I stay near TPC Scottsdale?

Several resorts sit a short drive from the course, including The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, and Talking Stick Resort. Each offers comfortable rooms and easy access to the tournament.

Make a Full Scottsdale Trip of It

In town for the WM Phoenix Open? The Sonoran Desert is right outside your door, and a morning or sunset ride is the perfect complement to a day at the course. Book a U-Drive guided ATV/UTV tour just minutes from Old Town Scottsdale, or chase golden hour on a sunset desert ride. For more local ideas, see our guide to things to do in Scottsdale and Phoenix.

Want to round out your golf trip with a desert adventure? Call Desert Dog at (480) 837-3966 and we will help you plan the perfect ride.