If you like your golf loud, sunny, and packed with energy, the WM Phoenix Open is your week. In 2026, the tournament returns to TPC Scottsdale with tournament play Thursday through Sunday, February 6–9, and a full slate of events beginning the prior weekend, including Monday and Tuesday practice days and the Concert in the Coliseum on Saturday, February 1. The nightly Birds Nest concerts run Wednesday through Saturday, February 5–8, and the place will be buzzing from sunrise to last call.
What makes the WM Phoenix Open different is the atmosphere. Fans turn the Stadium Course into a sports festival, the 16th hole is a bowl of pure noise, and the event leans into the party while still being one of the most sustainability-focused tournaments in sports. Waste Management’s zero-waste program has become a model that other leagues study, with thousands of recycling and compost stations and behind-the-scenes sorting that keeps almost everything out of landfills.
Below is a complete, practical guide so you can lock in tickets, pick the right days, survive the 16th, eat well, catch the concerts, and still see world-class golf.
A quick history and why fans call it The People’s Open
The roots of the WM Phoenix Open go back decades, but the modern identity formed at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, a fan-first design by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish that encourages viewing mounds, amphitheater greens, and party zones. The event leans into crowd interaction, especially around the final stretch, where risk and reward reign. The tournament’s culture is equal parts golf diehard and social event, which is why attendance regularly pushes toward the top of the PGA Tour calendar and why the event proudly wears the nickname The People’s Open. The sustainability angle is not window dressing. Waste Management has spent years turning the tournament into a real-world lab for recycling and composting at big sporting events.
On course, recent champions include two-time winner Scottie Scheffler and the 2025 champion Thomas Detry, a reminder that elite ball striking and a steady head in chaos still wins here.
Tickets and hospitality: what fits your crew and budget
The WM Phoenix Open offers something for everyone, from walk-around access to full hospitality. General Admission remains the simplest entry. You can roam the entire Stadium Course, claim a bleacher seat, and still pop into public fan zones. For fans who want shade, food, and shorter restroom lines, the tournament sells multiple hospitality tiers each year. Names can vary by season, but typical options include premium clubs along the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes, patio-style reserved areas, and full suites or skyboxes for companies and large groups. Availability and pricing change year to year, and the safest place to confirm what is on sale is the official WM Phoenix Open site. The tournament’s calendar page lists the daily schedule, practice days, Pro-Am schedules, and the Birds Nest nights so you can match tickets to your plans.
If you want the most value, consider a weekday ticket that includes practice day freedom and smaller crowds, then splurge on a single hospitality day later in the week. If you are traveling with a big group, split your time between roaming the back nine and sitting in a reserved section for an hour or two during peak afternoon waves.
Entertainment while you are in Phoenix
Planning a group trip or a holiday weekend in Scottsdale built around the golf? Many visitors combine day sessions at the course with nightlife, pool time, and private events. If you want someone else to handle the fun, WMPO party packages in town can line up hosts and themed entertainment for your crew, from pool girls and golf-themed brand ambassadors to bikini bartenders and poker dealers.
The 16th hole: lore, lines, and a survival guide
The 16th at TPC Scottsdale is the most famous par 3 in golf because it feels like a stadium more than a hole. Thousands of fans stack around the green and fairway, and the cheers, chants, and roars make every shot feel like a playoff. It is also the most strategic place to plan your day, because the line to get in can begin well before gates open.
How it became a phenomenon: the stadium seating grew year after year as the event learned that fans wanted to cheer and heckle within reason. Hole-in-one moments are legendary, and the sound is unlike any other stop on the Tour. A quick search shows viral scenes when aces set off full-bowl celebrations. That energy is a feature of the week and a huge reason the event draws such a massive crowd.
Your plan for the 16th:
Arrive early if sitting inside the stadium is a must for your group. Lines are longest on Thursday and Friday morning. If you do not want to sprint with the crowd, there are great alternatives. Grab a bleacher spot on 17 to watch players try to drive the green. Post up near 18 for the finishing drama, then walk back to the 16th midway through the round to sneak into standing areas. Hydrate, wear sunscreen, and charge your phone before you go in because re-entry during peak hours can be tough. Use the tournament app and course map to plan bathroom and food runs, then trade shifts so you do not lose your spot. The event’s zero-waste program also means you will see compost and recycling teams working constantly. Follow the signs and help keep the section clean so the fun can continue.
Birds Nest concerts: who is playing and how to plan your nights
The Coors Light Birds Nest is a concert venue in its own right. In 2026, the lineup is stacked across four nights. Jelly Roll headlines Wednesday, Luke Bryan headlines Thursday, Nickelback headlines Friday, and Tiësto closes things out on Saturday. These shows are separate tickets from your golf access and sell quickly, so buy early if a specific artist is your must-see. The tournament’s official calendar lists the concert dates and helps you line up your night plans with your day session on course.
If your group wants a “golf by day, music by night” plan, consider Thursday and Friday as your sweet spot. You will see the full field early Thursday and Friday with big crowds for the morning and afternoon waves, then walk to the Birds Nest after dinner.
Traffic moves well for a crowd this size because the WM Phoenix Open has refined its transportation plan over the years. Expect designated free parking lots with frequent shuttles as well as a rideshare area that keeps drop-off and pick-up efficient. The tournament’s “Know Before You Go” guide is updated each season with lot names, shuttle times, and any entrance changes, and it is the best way to avoid surprises. Keep that page bookmarked and check it the night before you go.
General tips still help. Arrive early if you want a spot close to your target hole. Consider a midafternoon arrival if your priority is the concert at night. If you plan to leave during peak exit hours, set a family or group meeting spot away from the main gate so you do not fight phone service with everyone else.
What to eat and drink at the course
One reason fans love the WM Phoenix Open is that it feels like a food festival wrapped around a golf tournament. The course is dotted with brand-name concessions and local favorites. The official 2026 course map shows hubs such as the Desert Oasis BBQ and Beer Garden, the Lifebird Grill, Bonanza Pizza and Wings, and several patios and cantinas clustered around the 16th, 17th, and 18th, where the energy stays high. Expect multiple cocktail bars, shaded beer gardens, and quick-serve stands throughout the routing.
Prices are stadium-style. Plan to scan menus once you arrive and budget like you would for a pro football or baseball game. For families and early risers, morning options around the practice range are usually less crowded. Refill water often and use the shaded fan zones to cool off during the afternoon spike.
The course itself: how TPC Scottsdale plays and where to watch
The Stadium Course is a great walk. The front nine sets you up with scoring chances but keeps you honest with desert carries and greens that run fast when the weather is dry. The closing stretch is why fans flock here. The par-5 15th teases eagle chances. The 16th is pure theater. The drivable par-4 17th can make or break a round, with water left that gobbles up anything too bold, and the 18th demands a nervy tee shot with water right and a packed gallery to your left. That sequence creates swings on the board and roars from the mounds that wrap the finishing holes. If you want pure golf, post up where the green complexes give you a full view of approach shots. If you want a celebration, that 15–18 corridor is your playground.
The entire loop was built to let fans see more golf without constant rope lines. That is why the WM Phoenix Open feels open and communal compared with many tour stops. You can camp for an hour, then walk a few minutes and get a totally different view.
Players to watch and how the field usually shapes up
Every season is different, but the WM Phoenix Open tends to attract a deep field because the setup rewards confident ball strikers and the week fits well in the schedule. The defending champion in 2026 is Thomas Detry, who solved the closing stretch on Sunday. In recent years Scottie Scheffler turned Scottsdale into a personal playground with back-to-back titles, a reminder that elite tee-to-green play wins when winds kick up and greens firm out.
For handicapping your trip, watch early week reports on how the course is set up. If the tournament plays firm, the advantage swings to players who flight wedges and control spin. If the air is cool in the morning, the ball will not travel quite as far, and the drivable 17th plays more like a tough par 4 for the early wave.
Sample itineraries for different kinds of groups
First-time fans: arrive Thursday morning with General Admission, walk the range for a few minutes to get your bearings, then head to the 16th or 17th and settle in. Spend the back nine roaming from 15 to 18 to catch the signature finishing stretch. Grab dinner nearby and finish at the Birds Nest if one of the headliners is on your list.
Golf-first crew: pick Friday. Follow a featured group for nine holes in the morning, break for lunch at one of the patios on the 16–17 corridor, then catch a second wave for the last five holes. Leave the course with time to beat the concert crowd unless you have Birds Nest tickets.
Bachelor or birthday group: schedule one pure party day and one golf day. Use a hospitality ticket on your big day so you have shade and a home base, then plan a private event in Scottsdale at night. If you want help, those WMPO party packages mentioned above can staff hosts, themed servers, and poker dealers, so you only worry about showing up. Pair the second day with roaming General Admission to actually watch the golf.
Family day: try Wednesday for the Pro-Am and practice views. Players are relaxed, and kids can get much closer to their favorite names. If you do a weekend day, base yourselves on a quieter green away from the stadium holes, then visit the finish late in the afternoon when the biggest crowds turn toward the concerts.
What to wear and what to bring
Dress for sunshine and movement. Comfortable sneakers beat golf shoes for walking on concrete and mounds. A hat and sunscreen are essential. Use a small, clear stadium bag if you plan to hit the 16th and do not want any issues at security. Bring a portable charger and a refillable water bottle if allowed that day. Always check the current “Know Before You Go” page the night before, since bag sizes, refill stations, and gate locations can change year to year.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 16th family friendly? It is a fun experience, but it is loud and crowded. Consider standing areas or a different vantage point with kids in the midafternoon, then drop in briefly to show them the bowl.
Do I need separate tickets for the Birds Nest? Yes. Golf and concert tickets are sold separately, and Birds Nest nights can sell out early.
Can I see enough golf with General Admission? Absolutely. The routing and huge mounds let you see multiple holes from one spot. Hospitality is about comfort, shade, and shorter lines, not access to golf shots.
Is there public transit or rideshare? Yes. The tournament publishes rideshare locations and shuttle lot details each season. Use those over ad-hoc pick ups to avoid long waits.
Why this event is unlike any other on your sports calendar
There are plenty of classy, traditional golf stops. The wm phoenix open is a different experience by design. It blends top-tier golf with a stadium vibe, full-scale concerts on site, and a city that treats the week like a festival. It is also the rare party that tries to be responsible, with a zero-waste system that has become a case study for other leagues and venues.
If you only book one golf trip this winter, make it Scottsdale. Grab your tickets, plan one day in the stadium and one day roaming, pick a Birds Nest headliner, and pencil in a night out in town. Whether you come for a guys trip, a couples weekend, or a full crew that wants a turnkey party plan, the wm phoenix open delivers a holiday of sun, music, and drama down the stretch.
