The Greenest Show on Grass is also the biggest infrastructure build-out in golf. Remarkably, the construction of all the suites and grandstands at TPC Scottsdale for the WM Phoenix Open takes more than four months.
And work for the 2027 rendition started Sept. 9 in preparation for the highest-attended tournament in golf. Scratch that. Make that one of the highest-attended sporting events in the world.
The first part of the course to see construction crews was The Cove, an area of suites along the 17th hole. The work on the famous 16th hole started Sept. 14. Here in the final week of the month, there is activity all over the Stadium Course.
Attendance figures haven't been announced by tournament officials in close to a decade, but it's well known
that the Friday and Saturday crowds swell to more than 150,000 fans, with a large percentage hanging out around the final three holes.
What's new at TPC Scottsdale for the 2027 WM Phoenix Open?
The Patriots Outpost, a hospitality suite at the 18th hole, has long offered free admission for military members. Well, in 2027, it's doubling in size with a new second level being added.
The 16th Hole Plaza, situated north of the 16th hole and near the 15th green, has additional trees and more space for fans to hang out. There will also be concessions close by.
Digital ticketing completes its three-year phase-in, so now all general admission, all hospitality and all suites (like Bay Club, "16" and Greenskeeper) are now completely digital.
The 2027 WM Phoenix Open is set for Super Bowl weekend once again, but tournament week officially starts the Saturday before with the Concert in the Coliseum. This time around, it'll be Imagine Dragons and Counting Crows entertaining fans on a stage set up halfway between the tee and green inside the 16th hole arena on Feb. 6. The tournament grounds officially open on Monday, Feb. 8, for fans to watch practice rounds. Wednesday, Feb. 10, is the annual celebrity pro-am.
The tournament's first round will be Thursday, Feb. 11 and the week concludes on Sunday, Feb. 14, the same day as the NFL's big game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Feb. 14 is also the day Arizona became a state, doing so on Valentine's Day in 1912.
Chris Gotterup is the defending champion.
Todd Kelly is an assistant managing editor at Golfweek.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Four-month build-out at TPC Scottsdale for 2027 WM Phoenix Open well underway
