SCOTTSDALE – With the 2026 Waste Management Open right around the corner, the spark of excitement is already there, and it has grown into a full-on fire as the hype from fans grows every day.
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Fans make their way through the course during round three of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 8, 2025. © Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
What the 2026 Waste Management Open has in store:
What fans attending the 2026 Waste Management Open can expect starts with access. Ford Free Days returning Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 2 and 3, isn’t just a nice gesture; it’s a strategic funnel. Historically, early-week access correlates with higher weekend attendance and stronger local buy-in. Free entry lowers the barrier, especially for younger fans, turning casual curiosity into long-term loyalty. That’s how a tournament becomes a tradition.
Aug 23, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Brooks Koepka of Smash GC lines up a putt on the 17th green during the semifinals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Another trademark of the WMO will be some big names to compete in the iconic tournament, which brings credibility. Brooks Koepka’s commitment to play changes the temperature immediately. Five major championships carry weight in any city, but in Scottsdale, where bravado is part of the brand, Koepka fits. His presence signals that elite players don’t just tolerate this environment; they test themselves in it. For fans, that’s validation. The 2026 Waste Management open will surely have some starpower.
Fans cheer from the stands of the 16th hole during round three of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 8, 2025. © Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The heartbeat, as always, is the 16th hole. Back and better than ever, it remains golf’s most revealing stage, not because it’s loud, but because it’s honest. Players who embrace chaos thrive here. Those who don’t, won’t. That psychological exposure is rare in modern golf, and Phoenix owns it. Even the future is loud. Florida Georgia Line and The Killers headlining the 2026 Coliseum concerts reinforces the 2026 Waste Management Open’s long game: this isn’t a tournament week, it’s become an iconic and cultural event, and fans who have experienced it are waiting to see what this year’s party turns out to be.
Golf fans cheers on the 16th hole during the third round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 3, 2018. © Cheryl Evans/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
