The PGA of America announced Monday that it has sold out its daily grounds tickets for the Thursday through Sunday rounds of next year’s PGA Championship at Delco’s Aronimink Golf Club. 

Next year’s tournament from May 11 to 17 will help kick off the region’s run of major sports events during the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations. March features first- and second-round games in the NCAA March Madness men’s basketball tournament. The summer will have the FIFA Men’s World Cup — which will have five group-stage games and a round-of-16 match on July 4 — along with the MLB All-Star Game.

Ticket registrations for next year’s golf tournament at Newton Square saw a 20% increase compared to the past two tournaments, according to the PGA of America. 

“You never know what you’re going to get when you come into different markets, but I think we were very optimistic about just the Philadelphia sports fan,” said Ryan Ogle, the championship director for next year. “I mean, they’re known for their passion and they’re certainly showing up for our Championship. You can tell there’s a clear appetite to witness world-class golf.”

Ryan Ogle is championship director of the 2026 PGA Championship, which will be played May 14 to17 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Verified resale tickets are already available through SeatGeek, face-value tickets are still available for the weeklong package, the practice rounds from Monday to Wednesday, and elevated hospitality package tickets through Club PGA.

The tournament can’t really control the ballooning costs of the secondary resale ticket, but Ogle says the team did their best to mitigate that by blocking suspicious accounts from buying face-value tickets.

Another option to see the tournament is through its volunteer program, which still has some spots left. Adults 23 and up need to work at least three shifts, and pay a $270 fee for a Nike uniform, food and non-alcoholic drinks during shifts, a bag and complimentary parking. In return they get a volunteer credential that gives access to the grounds all week. 

Ogle said it was surprising and uncommon for Thursday, the opening round of four days of competitive golf, to sell out this early. What was also notable was that nearly half of ticket buyers came from within the Keystone State.

“We typically see the region kind of skew a little bit more towards about 40%, a 60-40 split,” Ogle said. “To see it 50-50, I think that just resonated with us as people are really excited to be here and be a part of this event. We’ll still still have a ton of people visiting the community, coming from outside the area, but to see that the Philadelphians are wanting to be a part of this is a great sign.”

The Wanamaker Trophy at the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America)

The PGA Championship is one of professional golf’s four prestigious major tournaments each year. Three are played in the U.S. (The Open Championship is played around the United Kingdom, and this year’s contest finished yesterday). The Masters, in Augusta, Ga., stays at the same venue every year, while the U.S. Open and PGA Championship roam around the country.

Aronimink last hosted the PGA Championship in 1962, when golf legend Gary Player won it. This year, it was at Quail Hollow Club, in Charlotte. N.C., which coincidentally moved that venue’s usual Truist Championship to Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course. The U.S. Open in 2030 will be hosted by Merion Golf Club.

Along with the money — a record $19 million prize purse at this year’s PGA Championship — players competed to get their names etched onto the Wanamaker Trophy, named after department store heir and Philly native Lewis Rodman Wanamaker.

Despite its roster of top golf courses, the Philadelphia region is not a consistent stop for the men’s professional tours. The recent run leaves some thinking that should change.

“Philadelphia is one of the best places in the U.S. for golf,” said Rory McIlroy, the most recent golfer to win all four majors, what’s called a career grand slam, at the Truist Championship. “You know, there’s so many great courses around here.”

“Whether it’s the PGA of America, the PGA Tour or even the [United States Golf Association] that hosted their U.S. Open in Pittsburgh a couple months ago, when these governing bodies look at markets, some of the biggest decisions are: Will the community support it? Will they support hospitality? Will they buy tickets? Will they answer the call to volunteer? And this market continues to do that.” he said. “So I think it’s just another step in the right direction and hopefully we see more golf come to the area. It’s certainly something that we’ll be keeping our eye on.”