WM Phoenix Open begins prep for 2025 tournament after high-profile issues

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZFamily)—The Waste Management Phoenix Open is already beginning preparations for next year‘s tournament in February after issues of overcrowding, intoxication and other issues marred the 2024 events.

The Thunderbirds, hosts of the WM Phoenix Open, say they are implementing changes that are designed to “elevate the overall fan experience.”

Fans can expect an additional entrance, all-digital admission ticketing platforms, improved walking paths and upgraded general admission areas at the 2025 tournament.

“Each and every year, The Thunderbirds review the previous tournament and look for ways to improve,” said 2025 WM Phoenix Open Tournament chairman Matt Mooney. “We’ve been working closely with the PGA TOUR, Scottsdale Police and Fire, title sponsor WM and our other valued partners to make impactful changes for 2025. We are excited to announce these enhancements as the countdown to ‘The People’s Open’ begins.”

The Thunderbirds announced last February that there would be a complete audit of how the tournament is run.

A mix of bad weather, closed gates, and fans who had bought tickets but couldn’t get in caused a lot of frustration. Not only this, vendors also stopped selling alcohol on Saturday, Feb. 10. Scottsdale Fire said to get people to leave, stopping the sale of alcohol was the right move.

Matt Mooney is the tournament chairman for the 2025 WM Phoenix Open.

“Obviously we dealt with some challenging weather,” Mooney said. “We want to really implement what we think will make the tournament better and not as much focused on bigger this year.”

The new fan entrance will be on Greenway Hayden Loop, just north of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard.

“The additional entrance will significantly improve the flow of fans entering and exiting TPC Scottsdale,” Mooney said. “This entrance will provide relief at our main entrance and offer a much shorter walk for those fans in high-demand areas near holes 16, 17 and 18.”

Digital tickets will be used for all WM Phoenix Open general admission and Coors Light Birds Nest tickets. Stars like Luke Bryan and Jelly Roll will headline the concert this year.

Moone says selling single-day tickets only will give them the ability to control their capacity on any given day to the exact number.

He adds switching to a digital ticketing system will be helpful for them in efficiency of the scanning process at the entrances this year.

The two guest areas getting upgrades are the Taylor Morrison Fairway House at the 12th hole and the Desert Oasis BBQ and Beer Garden near the 7th hole.

Regarding the new, additional entrance at the WM Phoenix Open, Scottsdale Fire Cap. Dave Folio says this will make a huge difference.

“We identified a lot of choke points at this last tournament,” Folio said. “The widened walkways and new entrance will improve our response with our carts and bike teams and walking teams. It’ll give us more room to be on the sidewalks so our bike teams don’t have to go off into the grass it’s a huge improvement.”

While a list of exact upgrades isn’t available, the Thunderbirds said the refreshed layouts will “provide more accessible viewing areas, upgraded concessions and new fan engagement opportunities.”

The 2025 WM Phoenix Open will take place Feb. 3-9 at TPC Scottsdale. Tickets are free on Monday and Tuesday, $75 on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and $125 on Friday and Saturday.

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