With new remuneration rules, high-stakes sponsors and mega event security, Bethpage Black is hosting golf’s biggest business test.
When Europe lifted the Ryder Cup in Rome in 2023, the players received no pay cheques for their efforts. Luke Donald’s side swept to a 16½ – 11½ victory at Marco Simone, celebrated as much for its collective spirit as for the golfing spectacle.
The European model was to play for national pride and the history of the competition, with any associated proceeds directed to charitable causes.
Two years on, the financial backdrop looks markedly different. As the teams prepare to tee off at Bethpage Black, the PGA of America has introduced a new remuneration structure for Team USA.
Each player will receive $500,000, of which $300,000 must still be allocated to charity, but crucially $200,000 will be paid as a personal stipend. It is the first time American players have been compensated directly, shifting the business narrative of an event long sold as golf’s purest contest of pride over prize.
But that’s not all that is changing for the 45th Ryder Cup, due to take place between September 26-28. Insider Sport’s latest feature tells you all you need to know about this year’s competition.
Broadcast and streaming reach
The Ryder Cup remains one of golf’s most lucrative media properties, and the 2025 edition reflects the fragmented yet expanding broadcast ecosystem.
In the UK, Sky Sports continues its exclusive live rights, with wall-to-wall coverage across Sky Sports Golf and daily build-up shows. The BBC holds highlights and radio rights through to 2029, ensuring the event maintains a free-to-air footprint for casual audiences.
In the US, NBC Sports is again the lead broadcaster. Friday’s matches air on USA Network, before NBC takes over for the weekend singles, supported by Golf Channel’s coverage of the opening ceremony.
Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, is offering simulcasts and dedicated featured-match feeds throughout the weekend – an increasingly important way of drawing younger viewers into the competition.
The competition is also running its own live stream. Spectators will be able to watch the matches unfold on RyderCup.com and through Ryder Cup mobile app. Featured Matches will stream live on the platforms each day.
Commercial partners and sponsorships
Behind the ropes, the Ryder Cup is a showcase for some of sport’s most valuable sponsorship properties. The worldwide partner roster remains stable, featuring Aon, BMW, Citi, DP World and Rolex, with Capgemini continuing its role as technology and insights partner.
New for 2025 is SAP, which joins the top tier of global sponsors in time for Bethpage and Adare Manor in 2027.
These brands are not passive backers. Capgemini, for example, is rolling out an updated version of its Outcome IQ platform, delivering real-time win probabilities and match insights across broadcast feeds, the official Ryder Cup app and on-course screens. The aim is to deepen engagement through data and reinforce the tournament’s positioning at the cutting edge of sports technology.
BMW, meanwhile, extends its long-standing association with golf by activating premium hospitality and transport offerings for corporate clients. Rolex remains embedded through timing and heritage activations, while Aon continues to integrate the Ryder Cup into its wider “Aon Risk Reward Challenge” golf platform.
Ticketing, hospitality and fan access
Spectator demand for the Ryder Cup has always outstripped supply, and Bethpage is no exception. Tickets for 2025 reportedly sold out within 48 hours of release, despite claims the tickets had been priced too high.
One-day gate passes for the matches were priced at $750 (with food and drink included), which represented a 400% from the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. Practice rounds were also steep: $255 for Tuesday and Wednesday, and $424 for Thursday.
SeatGeek managed distribution as the event’s official ticketing provider. All tickets are mobile-only, reflecting the PGA of America’s push towards greater control and reduced fraud.
Locally, organisers have sought to engage the surrounding community. According to NBC, the PGA of America has distributed 3,000 complimentary tickets under its “People’s Perk” campaign, ensuring local residents have a chance to attend what is otherwise an exclusive event.
The fan footprint stretches beyond Farmingdale itself. A Ryder Cup “Live Fan Zone” at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan is offering big-screen coverage, sponsor activations and appearances from golfing legends, extending the reach of the tournament into the heart of the city.
Event operations and security
Staging the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black requires a logistical operation on par with any Super Bowl or World Series. With 300,000 spectators expected to attend the event, organisers have had to design a transport and security plan that leaves no margin for error.
This year, security is under intense scrutiny following the killing of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this month, an event which police say has raised the risk of the Ryder Cup being used as a political statement.
Major Stephen Udice of the New York State Police, who is leading the security operation, told the BBC: “We are planning as if there are threats. We have multiple different layers that someone looking to cause chaos and harm is going to have to get through.”
That operation includes hundreds of additional troopers drafted in from across the state, drones, helicopters, bomb disposal dogs and chemical, biological and radiological detection units. Social media channels are also being actively monitored for potential risks.
The visit of US President Donald Trump, a golf enthusiast who is expected to attend on Friday, has added another layer of complexity. Organisers confirmed his arrival is factored into security planning, but have stressed play will not be delayed.
According to reports from the BBC, Ryder Cup director Bryan Karns described accommodating the president’s visit as “probably the hardest thing we’ll have to do,” while praising the cooperation between the PGA of America, the Secret Service and local authorities.
Beyond the fairways
The Ryder Cup is set to leave a significant mark on the New York economy. Hotels across Long Island will have been booked for months, while restaurants, transport operators and local attractions are preparing for one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Discover Long Island, the regional tourism board, has worked closely with the PGA of America to maximise the economic ripple effect, positioning the event as both a global spectacle and a local opportunity.
“We’ve not only prepared to welcome one of the most celebrated tournaments in the world, but we’ve also strengthened connections across our communities, inspired local pride, and elevated Long Island’s profile as a premier international destination,” said Discover Long Island Interim President & CEO, Mitch Pally.
“The Ryder Cup will be an unforgettable moment in our region’s history, and its legacy will continue to benefit our businesses, residents, and visitors for years to come.”
For sponsors and broadcasters, the contest continues to prove its rare value. With the addition of new partners and advanced technology activations, the commercial footprint of the tournament has never been broader.
Yet the 2025 edition will also be remembered for the questions it raises. The decision to directly compensate Team USA players shifts the event’s financial ethos and could have long-term consequences for its identity.
Coupled with unprecedented levels of security and the presence of a sitting US president, this Ryder Cup is as much a test of event management as it is a battle between Europe and America.
