PGA Championship to Prelude Philly’s 2026 Sports Competitions
The semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of the United States is only one summer away. Many Philly events celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday are also connected to several significant sports competitions in and around…
Close up golf ball on green grass field. sport golf club
The semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of the United States is only one summer away. Many Philly events celebrating the nation's 250th birthday are also connected to several significant sports competitions in and around the region.
The MLB All-Star Game and the FIFA Men's World Cup will take place at a prime spot in the nation's birthday celebration during the summer. But activities will kick off in March with the first- and second-round games of the NCAA March Madness men's basketball tournament. On the weekend before Memorial Day, the 108th PGA Championship will take place at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square.
PGA Championship
Ryan Ogle, the Championship's tournament director, said he's not concerned about the PGA Championship occurring earlier in the year.
“People talk about 2026 when they talk about the semiquincentennial, right? It's not July Fourth 2026,” he said in an interview with Billy Penn at WHYY. “And to be able to kind of kick off all the celebrations, in a way, I think is a great opportunity for us.”
Aronimink previously hosted the PGA Championship in 1962, when golf legend Gary Player won it. Last year, the Championship occurred at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Players competed for a total prize of $18.5 million, and the winner, Xander Schauffle, garnered $3.33 million.
Along with the prize, players are also in competition to have their names etched onto the Wanamaker Trophy. It's named after department store heir and Philly native Lewis Rodman Wanamaker.
Inside preparations for conditioning the golf course and accommodating the players will take place closer to the tournament weekend. External planning — areas focused on operations, logistics, traffic, parking, volunteers, tickets, and corporate hospitality — began in August 2023.
Registration for early and priority access to purchase tickets for next year's PGA Championship opened on March 31. Volunteer and hospitality opportunities are available on the tournament's website.
