Now in its 84th year, the Waste Management Phoenix Open is a multifaceted experience that combines golf, music and dining in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. 

The annual event at TPC Scottsdale gets bigger every year. The 2018 tournament, won by Gary Woodland, drew a record-breaking 719,179 people across the seven-day event.

Hosted by the Thunderbirds, the annual tournament raises funds for youth charities and programs. As of 2019, it has raised $134 million to local non-profits including the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, St. Mary’s Food Bank, Homeward Bound and Save the Family, among others. Last year’s tournament garnered $12.2 million. 

This year’s competition features 132 golfers vying for a $7.1 million purse, which comes with a $1,278,000 first-place check.

But for those who aren’t necessarily there to spectate golf, the Phoenix Open offers the opportunity to rub shoulders with a bevy of celebrities like Olympian Michael Phelps, the Arizona Cardinals’ Patrick Peterson and Arizona Diamondbacks Archie Bradley. 

Here’s a guide all there is to know before you go to the 84th entry.

WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN

When: Monday-Sunday, Jan. 28-Feb. 3.

Where: TPC Scottsdale, 17020 N. Hayden Road.

Admission: Free on Monday and Tuesday. $45 Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; $60 Friday and Saturday. Free for attendees ages 17 and younger when accompanied by and adult. Free for first responders and military; information found below. VIP, sponsor and corporate packages available. 

Details: wmphoenixopen.com, facebook.com/WMPhoenixOpen, @WMPhoenixOpen on Twitter and Instagram.

DISCOUNTS, FREE TICKETS

Ford Free Days

Admission is free on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 28-29, thanks to Phoenix Open sponsor Ford Motor Co. This is the fourth year the automotive giant has offered free days. Attendees can participate in the closest-to-the-pin tournament to win a Ford Edge ST and supply a local charity with its own new vehicle. 

Safeway & Albertsons

Spend at least $50 on specific items at Safeway or Albertsons grocery stores to get a free ticket. The offer is available until Sunday, Feb. 3. Customers will receive a coupon for a free ticket that they can redeem at wmphoenixopen.com/tickets/general-admission. Among the items to be purchased are Coke and Tyson products and alcoholic beverages from Jack Daniels, Miller Lite, Coors Lite and Ketel One.

Tempe Marketplace & Desert Ridge Marketplace

Hey, big spenders: If you spend $300 or more in one day at Tempe Marketplace or Desert Ridge Marketplace you can receive two tickets to the Phoenix Open. Receipts can be redeemed at mall management offices. Tickets are valid Jan. 30-Feb. 3. You must be 18 years or older to redeem.

Military veterans and emergency personnel

Military veterans, police officers, firefighters and EMTs can take advantage of Birdies of the Brave freebies. Register online to receive two free tickets to the Phoenix Open good Jan. 30-Feb. 3. The offer is for active-duty and retired service members. You must show a Department of Defense ID or photo ID along with your ticket voucher at the main entrance. That there is a $1 verification fee per military service member and first responder.

SCHEDULE

MONDAY, JAN. 28: Practice rounds for PGA Tour pros only.

9:30 a.m.: Kadima.Ventures Pro-Am, TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course.

TUESDAY, JAN. 29: Practice rounds for PGA Tour pros only.

10 a.m.: R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day Activities at the TPC Scottsdale Champions Course Practice Range.

• Motivational speeches by PGA Tour pros.
• Trick shot show.
• Junior Golf Clinic presented by PING.

11 a.m.: San Tan Ford Special Olympics Open, TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course Putting Green.

2 p.m.: PGA Tour Wives Association Golf Classic, TPC Scottsdale Champions Course.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30:

8:30 a.m.: Annexus Pro-Am, TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course

3:30 p.m.:

• Phoenix Suns Charities Shot at Glory, TPC Scottsdale 16th hole.
• Coors Light Birds Nest entertainment tent opens.

THURSDAY, JAN. 31:

7:30 a.m.: Waste Management Phoenix Open 1st round.

3:30 p.m.: Coors Light Birds Nest entertainment tent opens.

FRIDAY, FEB 1:

7:30 a.m.: Waste Management Phoenix Open 2nd round.

3:30 p.m.: Coors Light Birds Nest entertainment tent opens.

SATURDAY, FEB. 2:

Green Out: Break out all of the emerald, jade and chartreuse for this tradition that brings sustainability at the forefront. 

9 a.m.: Waste Management Phoenix Open 3rd round

3:30 p.m.: Coors Light Birds Nest entertainment tent opens.

SUNDAY, FEB. 3:

9 a.m.: Waste Management Open 4th round

COORS LIGHT BIRDS NEST

The Phoenix Open’s entertainment tent gets the party started Wednesday through Saturday evenings. It is located at the corner of 82nd Street and Bell Road. The 2019 lineup blends crowd-pleasing country, hip-hop and EDM artists; headliners are expected to take the stage at about 8:30 p.m. each night. $120 two-for-one tickets are available for purchase for Wednesday and Thursday’s country show.

• Wednesday, Jan. 30: Old Dominion, Midland and Brandon Lay.
• Thursday, Jan. 31: Jake Owen, Lee Brice and Michael Ray.
• Friday, Feb. 1: The Chainsmokers, Snoop Dogg and Kelley James.
• Saturday, Feb. 2: Martin Garrix, DJ Vice and Justin Mylo.

The VIP area includes a catered dinner, hosted bar and a large premium viewing area for the performances. There’s a $400 VIP pit admission ticket with access to an exclusive area in front of the stage available Wednesday and Saturday. 

CONCERT GUIDE: Snoop Dogg, Martin Garrix, the Chainsmokers, Jake Owen

Details: Wednesday-Saturday, Jan. 30-Feb. 2. Opens at 3: 30 p.m. (sold out Friday night). Must be 21 or older. $65-$120 general admission; $250-$450 for VIP. coorslightbirdsnest.com.

TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

Public parking

Free public parking is available at Lot H through the duration of the tournament. It is located near Mayo Boulevard and Hayden Road (exit Loop 101 at Hayden Road and head south to the lot). Free shuttles will run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday;  7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. 

Beginning Wednesday, motorists can also find free parking, found at Lot W, is located at Westworld. Motorists can exit Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, drive north to Bell Road on 94th Street and enter the parking lot. Free shuttles are in operation from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Still lost? You can find a parking map online. 

Drop-offs: Buses, taxis and ride-shares 

Taxis: The primary taxi staging area is located on Princess Drive, just east of Hayden Road, near Lots 5 and 6. 

Stop-N-Drop: Quickly exit from a designated driver’s vehicle at Hayden and Bell roads near the Expo Village (accessible via Hayden Road, not Bell Road).

Uber: The tournament’s official ride-share partner will have a dedicated pickup and drop-off site just north of the Birds Nest at Princess Drive and 82nd Street, adjacent to Lot 7.

Bus: Valley Metro Route 170 runs along Bell Road from Arrowhead Towne Center to Hayden Road and Raintree Drive, passing by the TPC Scottsdale course.

Shuttles

K O’Donnell’s Sports Bar & Grill: The North Scottsdale sports bar is offering $10 round-trip shuttle rides beginning 9 a.m. until the end of tournament from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3. Each ticket comes with a $5 voucher to use at K O’Donnell’s (eligible to use beginning Monday, Feb. 4). 14850 N. Northsight Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-922-7200, kodonnells.com.

Scottsdale Quarter: Free shuttle from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Pick-up and drop-off located at Kona Grill, 15345 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-270-8123. 

Zipps Sports Grill: With purchase of a $10 food and drink voucher, Phoenix Open attendees can score a ride from the restaurants’ Frank Lloyd Wright and Kierland locations from Jan 31 to Feb. 3. The voucher can be redeemed at any Zipps location. Details: Frank Lloyd Wright, 14148 N. 100th St., Scottsdale, 480-314-4600. Kierland, 6501 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, 480-948-5544. zippssportsgrills.com. 

The WMO Party Bus will again offer rides from Valley bars and clubs Saturday, Feb. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each location opens early for pre-grame ahead of the “biggest party on the grass” with drink specials including mimosas, Bloody Mary’s. Transportation costs $37.50-$40 depending on time; riders without GA tickets can purchase transportation and admission for $64.

LOOK: PARTY BUSES AT PAST WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN

• Bevvy Old Town: Shuttles depart at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. 4420 N. Saddlebag Trail, No. 100, Scottsdale. 
• Bevvy Uptown: Shuttles depart at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (Returning shuttles drop off at Scottsdale’s entertainment district). 5600 N. 7th St., No. 100, Phoenix. 
• Bottled Blonde: Shuttles depart at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 7340 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale.
• El Hefe Scottsdale: Shuttles depart at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 4425 N. Saddlebag Trail, No. 101, Scottsdale.
• El Hefe Tempe: Shuttles depart at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. 640 S. Mill Ave., No. 110, Tempe.
• The Montauk: Shuttles depart at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. 4360 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale.
• The Porch Arcadia: Shuttles depart at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (Returning shuttles drop off in Old Town Scottsdale; alert driver you’re continuing to the Porch). 4017 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix.
• Whiskey Row Gilbert: Shuttles depart at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (Returns to Old Town Scottsdale). 323 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert. 

WHAT TO BRING, WEAR

• Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hat, binoculars.
• Opaque bags must be no larger than 6 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches.
• Clear totes must be no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches.
• Collapsible chairs without chair bags are allowed.
• Credit cards are accepted at will call and concession stands.
• Cellphones are allowed but must be on silent on the tournament grounds (see below). 

PGA Tour Spectator Mobile Device Policy: 

• Mobile devices must be on silent at all times.
• Devices may be used to take photos, shoot video and capture audio throughout the week at the tournament.
• No live streaming or real-time coverage.
• Take phone calls in designated areas only.

SECURITY POLICY

A full list of prohibited items is included in the event’s 2019 security policy. They include, but are not limited to, the following: weapons, backpacks, oversize chairs, video cameras, noisemakers, computers, food, beverages, coolers or illegal substances. 

HANDICAP INFORMATION

• Handicap parking located in Lot 4.
• Handicap seating areas are located on holes 16 and 18.
• Southwest Mobility offers free scooter rentals, on a first-come, first-served basis Tuesday – Sunday (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) near the tournament entrance.

GOLF ETIQUETTE

• No rude, vulgar or inappropriate comments or gestures.
• No harassment of players, volunteers, officials or spectators.
• No distracting or disrupting players.
• Follow instructions of championship officials, volunteers or security personnel.

TV SCHEDULE: 

Thursday, Jan. 31: 1–5 p.m., Golf Channel

Friday, Feb. 1: 1–5 p.m., Golf Channel

Saturday, Feb. 2: 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Golf Channel; 1–4 p.m. Channel 12

Sunday, Feb. 3: 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Golf Channel; 1–4 p.m. Channel 12

 

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