Jackson Reid
The WM Phoenix Open, formerly known as the Phoenix Open, is an annual golf tournament held in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event is famous for its lively atmosphere and large crowds, with more than 700,000 fans in attendance each year, making it the best-attended golf tournament in the world. The WM Phoenix Open has also gained recognition for its commitment to sustainability and waste management, branding itself as the 'Greenest Show on Grass' and achieving the distinction of being the world's largest zero-waste sporting event.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | WM Phoenix Open |
| Nicknames | The People's Open, The Greatest Show on Grass, The World's Largest Zero Waste Event, The Greenest Show on Grass |
| Location | TPC Scottsdale, Stadium Course |
| Attendance | 700,000 fans |
| Charitable Donations | Over $226 million |
| Yearly charitable record | $18.1 million in 2025 |
| Sponsors | Waste Management, Inc. |
| Previous Sponsors | Friedman Billings Ramsey, FBR |
| Yearly Event Time | Early February |
| Golf Course | Arizona Country Club |
| Par-3 16th hole nickname | The Coliseum |
| Yearly Event Duration | 5 days |
| Yearly Purse | $20 million in 2023 |
| Winner's Share | $3.6 million |
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What You'll Learn
- The WM Phoenix Open is the world's largest zero-waste sporting event
- The event has raised over $226 million for charities
- The tournament is held annually in early February at TPC Scottsdale
- The event is known for its relaxed atmosphere and enthusiastic crowds
- Waste Management, Inc. began sponsoring the tournament in 2010
The WM Phoenix Open is the world's largest zero-waste sporting event
The WM Phoenix Open is an annual golf tournament held in early February at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event attracts the largest and most enthusiastic crowds in the game, with more than 700,000 fans in attendance, including many students from nearby Arizona State University. The WM Phoenix Open is also the most popular location for spectators, with the par-3 16th hole, nicknamed "'The Coliseum", being the most popular hole for spectators. The WM Phoenix Open has been dubbed "The Greatest Show on Grass" due to its relaxed atmosphere and raucous nature, a stark contrast to the traditional country club golf scene.
The WM Phoenix Open is also known for its commitment to sustainability and is branded as the world's largest zero-waste sporting event. This means that nothing from the tournament goes to landfills, with waste being recycled, composted, donated, reused, or converted into energy. All vendors at the tournament are contractually obligated to abide by these standards, and the event has won the PGA TOUR's "Best Title Sponsor Integration Award" for its waste diversion efforts.
The Thunderbirds, a prominent civic organization in Phoenix, play a crucial role in the tournament's organization and charitable initiatives. Through Thunderbirds Charities, the non-profit arm of The Thunderbirds, proceeds from the WM Phoenix Open are distributed to organizations supporting children and families, helping people in need, and improving the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix area. To date, over $226 million has been raised for Arizona non-profit organizations, with the 2025 tournament alone raising a record-breaking $18.1 million for local charities.
The WM Phoenix Open also focuses on water restoration and education, with millions of gallons restored through Water Restoration Certificates to support AZ Tribal Nations. Additionally, the event has embedded water education throughout the tournament to raise awareness among fans and participants. The WM Phoenix Open is the first golf organization to join the UN Sports for Climate Action framework, committing to a 50% reduction target by 2030 and net-zero operations by 2040. All electricity purchased for course operations is 100% renewable.
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The event has raised over $226 million for charities
The WM Phoenix Open is an annual golf tournament held in Scottsdale, Arizona, in early February. It is one of the most popular events on the PGA Tour calendar, attracting more than 700,000 fans and known for its relaxed and raucous atmosphere. The event has a rich history, dating back to 1932, with a brief discontinuation after the 1935 tournament before it was revived in 1939. The WM Phoenix Open has been a platform for some memorable golfing moments, including Tiger Woods acing the par-3 16th hole in 1997.
The event is also remarkable for its charitable impact. Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable arm of the Thunderbirds (a prominent civic organization in Phoenix), has raised over $226 million for Arizona non-profit organizations through the WM Phoenix Open. The Thunderbirds are actively involved in organizing the tournament and distributing the proceeds to support children and families, assist people in need, and enhance the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix area.
The 2025 edition of the tournament, known as "The People's Open," broke records by raising $18.1 million for local charities, surpassing the previous year's record of $17.5 million. This remarkable achievement demonstrates the ongoing commitment to making a positive difference in the community.
The WM Phoenix Open is also known for its sustainability initiatives. It is the world's largest zero-waste sporting event, ensuring that nothing from the tournament ends up in landfills. This commitment to environmental responsibility has earned it the title of the Greenest Show on Grass. The tournament achieves zero waste through recycling, composting, donation, reuse, and energy creation, with all vendors contractually obligated to adhere to these standards.
The WM Phoenix Open is more than just a golf tournament; it is a phenomenon that captivates the hearts of millions of golf fans worldwide, combining thrilling golf, a unique atmosphere, and a dedication to charitable giving and sustainability.
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The tournament is held annually in early February at TPC Scottsdale
The WM Phoenix Open is held annually in early February at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. The tournament was originally the Arizona Open, and was known for most of its history as the Phoenix Open until Waste Management, Inc. began its sponsorship in 2010. Since 1973, the tournament has been played on the weekend of the Super Bowl.
The WM Phoenix Open is the best-attended golf tournament in the world, with more than 700,000 fans in attendance. It is also the largest Zero-Waste sporting event in the world. The Thunderbirds, a prominent civic organization in Phoenix, are highly active in organizing the tournament. They use portions of the proceeds to fund Special Olympics activities in Phoenix. The Thunderbirds and Thunderbirds Charities have raised more than $226 million for Arizona non-profit organizations.
The tournament has an estimated economic impact of over $400 million. It has also raised more than $165 million for charities in its 85-year history. The WM Phoenix Open has won the PGA TOUR's "Best Title Sponsor Integration Award" for diverting 100% of tournament waste from landfills. Zero waste means nothing from the tournament went to landfills in three years – not a single cup, can, sign or container.
The WM Phoenix Open is known for its relaxed atmosphere, raucous by professional golf standards, earning it the nickname "The Greatest Show on Grass". The most popular location for spectators is the par-3 16th hole, nicknamed "The Coliseum". The hole is enclosed by a temporary 20,000-seat grandstand.
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The event is known for its relaxed atmosphere and enthusiastic crowds
The WM Phoenix Open is known for its enthusiastic crowds, attracting more than 700,000 fans each year. It is the best-attended golf tournament globally and has a relaxed and raucous atmosphere, earning it the nickname "The Greatest Show on Grass". The event is held annually in early February at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, and has been described as "the rowdiest event on the PGA Tour calendar".
The WM Phoenix Open has a unique culture and has become a phenomenon in the world of golf and the broader sporting world. The tournament is particularly well-known for its iconic 16th hole, nicknamed "The Coliseum". This hole is surrounded by a multi-tier grandstand full of enthusiastic fans, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere. The 16th hole is also known for its short length, making it a straightforward hole by PGA standards. As a result, players who make poor shots may receive boos from the crowd.
The WM Phoenix Open has a long history, dating back to 1932, with a brief discontinuation after the 1935 tournament. The tournament was revived in 1939 and has been played annually since, with some venue changes over the years until it found its permanent home at TPC Scottsdale in 1987. The event has also been an opportunity to raise funds for charities, with Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable arm of the Thunderbirds (a civic organization in Phoenix that organizes the tournament), distributing monies raised to support various causes.
The WM Phoenix Open has also gained recognition for its sustainability initiatives. It has been a zero-waste event for several years, ensuring that no waste generated during the tournament ends up in landfills. This is achieved through recycling, composting, donation, reuse, and energy creation. The event also focuses on water restoration and education, with millions of gallons of water restored to support AZ Tribal Nations. Additionally, the WM Phoenix Open was the first golf organization to join the UN Sports for Climate Action framework, committing to a 50% reduction target by 2030 and net-zero operations by 2040.
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Waste Management, Inc. began sponsoring the tournament in 2010
The Phoenix Open is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, held annually in early February at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. The tournament was originally the Arizona Open but was known for most of its history as the Phoenix Open until the investment bank Friedman Billings Ramsey became the title sponsor in October 2003. For the next six editions, it was known as the FBR Open.
The tournament organisers ensure that zero waste is generated, and spectators are encouraged to recycle correctly. WM also works with retailers to give hard-to-recycle plastics a new life. In addition, the WM Phoenix Open has raised over $165 million for charities and has won the PGA TOUR's "Best Title Sponsor Integration Award" for its waste diversion efforts.
The WM Phoenix Open is also known for its high-energy atmosphere, with the 16th hole, nicknamed "The Coliseum," being a particular fan favourite. The event is usually attended by around half a million people, with a record-breaking tournament week attendance of 618,365 fans in 2016. The Phoenix Open has been played on the weekend of the Super Bowl since 1973, creating a unique synergy between golf and football enthusiasts.
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Frequently asked questions
The Waste Management Phoenix Open (also known as the WM Phoenix Open) is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It is held annually in early February at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open is known for its relaxed and rowdy atmosphere, making it one of the most popular events on the PGA Tour calendar. It is also the best-attended golf tournament in the world, with more than 700,000 fans. The tournament has raised millions of dollars for charities and is committed to producing the world's largest zero-waste event through recycling, composting, donation, reuse, and energy creation.
The tournament began in 1932 as the Arizona Open and was known as the Phoenix Open for most of its history. Waste Management, Inc. began its sponsorship in 2010, and the tournament has since been branded as the WM Phoenix Open.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open has had many notable moments throughout its history. Some highlights include Ben Hogan losing in a playoff in 1949, Tiger Woods acing the par-3 16th hole in 1997, and Andrew Magee making the first ace on a par-4 in PGA Tour history in 2000. The tournament has also featured popular players such as Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm.
