The Ryder Cup's sources of income: who really earns

For many golfers, the Ryder Cup is the highlight of the sporting calendar. It is the duel of the continents, in which the best players in Europe and the USA compete not for prize money, but for honor, glory and the iconic trophy. It is precisely this unique atmosphere that makes the tournament so emotional and gripping. But behind the passionate cheers and dramatic putts lies a perfectly organized, highly profitable business. How can a tournament in which the players seem to be playing "for nothing" be such a gigantic business? Who is actually pulling the Fades?

Who is pulling the Fades? The organizers

Behind the scenes of the Ryder Cup are two main players who share the rights and responsibilities. The PGA of America is responsible for staging the event on American soil. When the tournament takes place in Europe, the Ryder Cup Europe LLP is in charge. The ownership rights are split equally (50/50).

The European side is a partnership of three organizations:

• The European Tour Group (with a 60% share)
• The PGA of Great Britain and Ireland (with a 20% share)
• The Confederation of Professional Golf (with a 20% share)

This constellation ensures that the tournament is carried out according to fixed guidelines and with a global marketing concept, regardless of the venue.

The foundation of success: the pillars of the business model

The Ryder Cup's business model rests on three enormously lucrative pillars: sponsorship, ticketing and merchandising, and media rights.

• Sponsorship: The Ryder Cup has established itself as one of the most attractive platforms for global brands. Since 2018, there have been a number of major global sponsors, including companies such as Aon, BMW and Rolex, who are involved regardless of the venue. These partners are reportedly paying between £5 million and £8 million each to showcase their logo and brand at this top event.
• Tickets and fans: The demand for tickets is huge. For the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, 750,000 people applied for around 250,000 available tickets. The tournament in Rome set an attendance record for a European event with 272,000 fans from 40 countries. Ticket prices can vary greatly, ranging from affordable one-day tickets to hospitality packages that can cost several thousand euros. The video below this section gives you a good impression of the fan backdrop and volume of spectators.
• Media rights: The largest revenue is generated through the sale of broadcasting rights to TV stations. Global revenue from this area has quadrupled since 2000. In the USA, for example, NBC has signed a TV contract worth 440 million US dollars for 15 events until 2030. This corresponds to a sum of 55 million US dollars per tournament. In Europe, too, the broadcasting rights, which have been held by Sky Sports in the UK since 1995, are a multi-million dollar business.

The numbers speak for themselves: The Ryder Cup as an economic driver

Hosting a Ryder Cup is a huge win for the host regions. The economic impact is not only massive, but also steadily increasing.

• The 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome generated an economic boost of 262 million euros for the Italian economy - a record for a European event. By comparison, the 2018 tournament in Paris generated 235 million euros.
• Spectators ensured 318,000 overnight stays in Rome, generating 34 million euros in revenue in the accommodation sector alone.
• The revenue in a Ryder Cup year is enormous for the organizers. The PGA of America recorded revenue of 192 million US dollars in 2021, 143 million of which was directly attributable to the tournament. In a year without the Ryder Cup, the PGA of America's revenue was significantly lower.

The legacy: impact on the region

The Ryder Cup is not a short-term event. It leaves a lasting legacy. The venues invest heavily in the infrastructure of their courses, which then benefit the local golf community. The event also has a long-term tourist effect: almost two thirds of international visitors to Rome said that they would like to return to Italy for a longer vacation as a result of their Ryder Cup experience. The Ryder Cup is therefore a sporting spectacle that has the potential to sustainably promote the regions and boost their economy.