Nina Caldwell
The WM Phoenix Open is an annual golf tournament held at TPC Scottsdale in early February. It is known as The Greatest Show on Grass and The People's Open. It is the best-attended golf tournament in the world, drawing over 500,000 spectators each year. The WM Phoenix Open has a strong focus on sustainability and has been recognised as the world's largest zero-waste sporting event. The tournament aims to generate zero waste by promoting recycling and diverting all tournament waste from landfills. In addition to its environmental initiatives, the event has raised significant funds for charities, contributing over $165 million throughout its 85-year history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | WM Phoenix Open |
| Other Names | "The People's Open", "The Greatest Show on Grass", "The Greenest Show on Grass", WMPO |
| Location | TPC Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona |
| Attendees | More than 700,000 fans |
| Waste Management | Zero-waste event, with no waste going to landfills |
| Recycling | Focus on educating fans on how to recycle |
| Charitable Donations | Over $226 million raised for Arizona non-profit organizations |
| Yearly Event | Held annually in early February |
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What You'll Learn
- WM Phoenix Open is the largest zero-waste sporting event
- The event raises awareness and contributes to long-term initiatives
- The tournament educates fans on recycling correctly
- The event has raised over $165 million for charities
- The 16th hole is surrounded by a multi-tier grandstand full of enthusiastic fans
WM Phoenix Open is the largest zero-waste sporting event
The WM Phoenix Open is an annual golf tournament held in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered the largest zero-waste sporting event in the world. Known as "The Greatest Show on Grass", the event attracts more than 700,000 fans, making it the best-attended golf tournament globally.
The WM Phoenix Open has been recognised for its sustainability efforts, achieving zero-waste status for 12 consecutive years. This means that no waste from the tournament goes to landfills. Instead, waste is diverted through recycling, composting, donation, and energy conversion. The tournament also focuses on educating fans and viewers on recycling correctly, ensuring that materials are given a new life.
In addition to its zero-waste achievements, the WM Phoenix Open is also carbon neutral and committed to balancing its water and greenhouse gas footprint. All electricity purchased for course operations is 100% renewable. The tournament has set sustainability targets, aiming for a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and net-zero operations by 2040.
The WM Phoenix Open has raised more than $226 million for Arizona non-profit organisations, with a record-breaking $18.1 million raised in 2025. The event also provides free hospitality for military personnel, retired veterans, and emergency services workers, and engages with local youth through activities and community initiatives. With its commitment to sustainability and charitable giving, the WM Phoenix Open inspires spectators to reimagine what a sporting event can achieve.
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The event raises awareness and contributes to long-term initiatives
The WM Phoenix Open is the largest zero-waste sporting event in the world. The Thunderbirds, a prominent civic organization in Phoenix, runs the event through Thunderbirds Charities, a non-profit organization. The Thunderbirds and Thunderbirds Charities, with help from Title Sponsor WM, have raised more than $226 million for Arizona non-profit organizations. The 2025 edition of the tournament raised a record-breaking $18.1 million for local charities, marking the eighth time the tournament has surpassed the $10 million mark in charitable giving.
The WM Phoenix Open provides endless opportunities for education and engagement. The event raises awareness within the community and contributes to long-term initiatives that span far beyond the course. Embedded water education is incorporated throughout the tournament to raise awareness. The WM Phoenix Open is the first golf organization to join the UN Sports for Climate Action framework, with a 50% reduction target by 2030 and net-zero operations by 2040. All electricity purchased for course operations is 100% renewable. Millions of gallons are restored to support AZ Tribal Nations through Water Restoration Certificates.
The WM Phoenix Open is committed to producing the world’s largest zero-waste event as well as balancing water and a portion of its greenhouse gas footprint. They consider all diversion options for materials and choose the best option for each stream. Recycling is a cornerstone of zero waste, and WM focuses on making sure fans on the course and viewers at home learn how to recycle the right way, every day. WM also works with one of America's most beloved retailers to give hard-to-recycle plastics a new life.
The WM Phoenix Open has become a genuine phenomenon in the world of golf and the broader sporting consciousness. It is known for its lively and unique atmosphere, particularly at the 16th hole, "The Coliseum", which is surrounded by stadium-style seating, creating an electric atmosphere with fans cheering and jeering.
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The tournament educates fans on recycling correctly
The WM Phoenix Open is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, held in early February at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. It is one of the most attended events in golf, with a five-day attendance of around half a million people. The tournament has been nicknamed "The Greatest Show on Grass" and is known for its lively atmosphere, particularly at the 16th hole, known as "The Coliseum".
The WM Phoenix Open is also known for its commitment to sustainability and is considered the Greenest Show on Grass and the World's Largest Zero Waste Event. The tournament has achieved this through various initiatives, including recycling and water education.
The tournament organizers focus on educating fans on the course and viewers at home on how to recycle correctly. Recycling can be tricky, but it is a cornerstone of zero waste. By promoting proper recycling practices, the WM Phoenix Open aims to inspire spectators to reimagine what a sporting event can be and encourage them to adopt more sustainable habits.
One example of their recycling initiatives is their work with hard-to-recycle plastics. WM Advisory Services partners with organizations to give hard-to-recycle plastics a new life, demonstrating their commitment to finding innovative solutions to waste management challenges.
In addition to their recycling efforts, the WM Phoenix Open incorporates water education throughout the tournament to raise awareness. For example, water from the kitchens and bars is reused in portable restrooms, and millions of gallons are restored to support AZ Tribal Nations through Water Restoration Certificates. The event has also committed to reducing its greenhouse gas footprint and purchasing 100% renewable electricity for course operations.
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The event has raised over $165 million for charities
The WM Phoenix Open, known as "The Greatest Show on Grass", is an annual golf tournament held at TPC Scottsdale in early February. It is the best-attended golf tournament in the world, attracting more than 500,000 to 700,000 enthusiastic spectators each year.
The WM Phoenix Open is not just about golf; it is also about giving back. The tournament has raised an impressive amount for charities, with a total exceeding $165 million in its 85-year history. Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable arm of The Thunderbirds, is a non-profit organization that distributes the funds raised through the event. Their mission is to support and improve the lives of children and families in need, particularly in the Greater Phoenix area.
The 2025 edition of "The People's Open" broke records by raising $18.1 million for local charities, marking the highest single-year total in the tournament's history. This remarkable achievement further emphasizes the dedication and generosity of those involved in the WM Phoenix Open, ensuring that the event's impact extends far beyond the golf course.
The WM Phoenix Open is also distinguished by its commitment to sustainability. It has been recognized as the world's largest zero-waste sporting event, with all tournament waste diverted from landfills. This means that not a single cup, can, sign, or container ended up as waste in landfills for three consecutive years. The event goes beyond simply minimizing waste; it also educates fans and viewers about recycling, inspiring them to adopt more sustainable practices in their daily lives.
The WM Phoenix Open truly embodies the spirit of giving and environmental stewardship. Through its charitable initiatives and sustainability efforts, the event has not only raised significant funds for those in need but has also set a standard for sporting events worldwide, demonstrating that sports can be a powerful force for positive change.
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The 16th hole is surrounded by a multi-tier grandstand full of enthusiastic fans
The WM Phoenix Open is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, held in early February at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event is known for its lively atmosphere, particularly at the 16th hole, known as "The Coliseum". It is one of the most attended events in golf, with a five-day attendance of around half a million people.
The 16th hole is a 162-yard par-3 hole, one of the shortest on the tour. It is surrounded on three sides by a multi-tier grandstand with seating for 20,000 enthusiastic fans, creating an electric atmosphere. The hole is known for its party-like atmosphere, with many students from nearby Arizona State University in attendance. Good shots are cheered loudly, while poor shots receive boos as the hole is considered straightforward by PGA standards. When a player makes a hole-in-one, the crowd erupts in celebration, with beverages and other objects being tossed.
The WM Phoenix Open is the largest Zero-Waste sporting event in the world, with a focus on sustainability and recycling initiatives. Thunderbirds Charities, a non-profit organization, distributes monies raised through the event to support organizations assisting children and families, helping people in need, and improving the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix area. The event also incorporates water education to raise awareness and has joined the UN Sports for Climate Action framework with a commitment to net zero operations by 2040.
The 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open is a unique experience in professional golf, with its stadium-style seating and enthusiastic fans. It is a highlight of the tournament, offering a lively and memorable experience for both players and spectators.
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Frequently asked questions
The WM Phoenix Open is an annual golf tournament held at TPC Scottsdale. It is the best-attended golf tournament in the world, with over 500,000 to 700,000 fans in attendance. It is also known as "The People's Open" and "The Greatest Show on Grass".
The WM Phoenix Open is the largest Zero-Waste sporting event in the world. It has won the PGA TOUR's "Best Title Sponsor Integration Award" for diverting 100% of tournament waste from landfills. The event also raises money for local charities, with the 2025 edition raising a record-breaking $18.1 million.
The WM Phoenix Open focuses on educating fans on and off the course about recycling. They also work with retailers to give hard-to-recycle plastics a new life and choose the best diversion options for materials.
The WM Phoenix Open is held annually in early February. The event usually lasts a week, from Thursday to Sunday.
