The Masters stands as the pinnacle event in golf, captivating fans with its iconic green jacket presentation. Every year, a remarkable gathering of attendees, including celebrities, makes its way to this event, and this year’s occasion was no exception.
The 89th Masters was graced by famous personalities such as Paige Spiranac and NFL luminaries like Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Peyton Manning, and Eli Manning, mingling with golf legends as Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose competed for the prestigious green jacket.
In an unexpected twist, amidst all the excitement, thousands of fans were denied access at the gates.
Last-Minute Ticket Cancellations at Augusta National
At Augusta National Golf Club, mobile phones are strictly prohibited, resulting in all tickets being issued as physical badges. These badges must be worn visibly, either as lanyards or paper passes attached to the neck, belt loop, or wrist.
The Masters has upheld a reputation for strict adherence to its own rules over the years, including a specific policy on how tickets are distributed.
According to the official Masters website, “Augusta National, Inc. is the only authorized source/seller of Masters® Tickets. The resale of any Masters ticket is strictly prohibited. Holders of tickets obtained from third parties, by any means, may be excluded from attendance at the tournament.”
Despite these stringent regulations, unauthorized ticket resale has been a persistent issue. Tickets originally priced at $100 for practice rounds and $140 for the tournament days have reportedly been resold for as much as $8,000 for the final round, according to Cllc.com.
This year, however, Augusta National took a much firmer stance on ticketing practices, leading to significant repercussions. An executive from a hospitality company remarked, “It was a bloodbath.” He noted, “Several of our customers faced interrogation upon arrival, with about half of the badges being canceled.”
Restrictions on Ticket Sales
Augusta National imposes strict controls over ticket sales; if a lifetime badge holder is caught selling their badge, it will be revoked immediately without exceptions. Additionally, when a ticket holder passes away, their tickets do not transfer to family members, as the club monitors local obituaries to cancel those tickets.
This strict approach contrasts with other major golf events such as the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, which collaborate with external ticketing platforms like AXS, SeatGeek, and R&A.
Conversely, Augusta National manages ticket distribution internally, overseeing everything from general admission to VIP badges. Recently, the Masters has launched live events and hospitality initiatives—like Map & Flag—to sell additional VIP tickets and maximize their revenue. Reports indicate that this year, an average of 2,500 passes were sold at approximately $17,000 each.
Looking ahead, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley is preparing to expand the Map & Flag initiative. Applications for 2026 Map & Flag passes are currently being accepted at a steep cost of around $17,000 per week. Meanwhile, the standard ticket lottery for the Masters in 2026 will open on June 1, with prices ranging from $100 for practice rounds to $140 for tournament days.
