2026 U.S. Senior Open Fan Information Guide

 

Parking & Transportation

Complimentary parking and shuttle transportation will be provided to and from Scioto Country Club.  The general parking lot will have accessible parking spaces for vehicles displaying appropriate HP/DP license plates or placards.  For fans requiring lift-equipped shuttle transportation please contact 2026ussenioropen@usga.org for further information.

 

U.S. SENIOR OPEN PARKING (JUNE 21-26)

Complimentary parking will be provided at Ohio State University, in the Buckeye Lots located near the Covelli Center at 2701 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, OH 43210.  Ohio State University Buckeye Lots are located northeast of Scioto Country Club.  Please follow general parking signage and/or directions from parking attendants to the designated parking location.  Physical address 2701 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, OH 43210 can be used on most GPS systems.  From the parking lot, complimentary shuttle transportation will be provided to and from Scioto Country Club and is expected to take approximately 20 minutes.

The USGA is committed to providing a positive and user-friendly experience for all fans with disabilities. Accessible parking spaces for all vehicles displaying the appropriate HD/DP license plates or placards will be reserved at all parking locations. Fans requiring lift-equipped transportation should contact the USGA Championship Office at 2026ussenioropen@usga.org ahead of the championship to receive specific parking instructions.

 

The USGA will provide complimentary lift-equipped shuttle transportation to and from all remote championship parking lots. Furthermore, the Disability Services Committee will be onsite to assist fans with disabilities with multi-person golf cart transportation to and from designated stops and accessible grandstand and facility locations throughout the championship grounds.

Ride share services, passenger, taxi or limousine drop-offs and pick-ups will only be allowed at the designated area located at Ohio State University Buckeye Lots.  Attendees using Ride Share will then board a complimentary shuttle bus for transportation to Scioto Country Club. There is NO parking or staging for vehicles, so please coordinate pick-up times accordingly. Please follow directional signs and parking attendants to the appropriate pick-up and drop-off location. Due to traffic restrictions, access is limited to vehicles no larger than a 12-passenger van or limousine.

Ride share vehicles are NOT permitted to pick-up or drop-off at any other location around the Championship grounds. All other U.S. Senior Open parking is by permit and parking pass only.

Fans choosing to ride a bicycle to the championship are instructed to park near Gate 6 off Club Rd.  Access to the championship will be permissible through the nearby entry gate. Bike racks will be provided to secure bikes at this location. Owners are responsible for their own locks and security of their bicycle.

Know Before You Go

To enhance your experience at Scioto Country Club, the USGA will offer complimentary Wi-Fi powered by Cisco throughout the championship grounds, including all grandstands, concession areas, merchandise pavilions and other large fan gathering areas.

To discover the best-kept secrets about Columbus, including lodging options, dining, shopping, and local experiences during your trip, please visit Experience Columbus.

Fans and other championship attendees will go through security screening prior to entering the championship grounds and will not be allowed to bring any of the items listed below. To help expedite admission into the championship, it is recommended that all prohibited items are safely stowed prior to arriving at the championship or parking lot or boarding a shuttle bus. Please be sure to read the following list of prohibited items carefully.

  • No Weapons (regardless of permit, including but not limited to firearms or knives)
  • No Explosives and/or Fireworks of any kind
  • No Tablets and/or Computers (mobile devices smaller than 7" are permitted, subject to mobile device policy)
  • No Drones
  • No Selfie Sticks or Handheld Camera Stabilizers
  • No Cameras (point and shoot, film, or DSLR) or Video Cameras (other than Monday through Wednesday for personal use only)
  • No Noise-Producing Devices (including radios, TVs, or portable speakers)
  • No Backpacks, Briefcases, Purses and/or Bags larger than 6" W x 6" H x 6" D in their natural state
    • NOTE: Transparent/clear plastic hand and shoulder bags no larger than 12" W x 12" H x 6" D are permitted.
  • No Signs, Posters, Banners and/or other Sports Paraphernalia or Memorabilia
  • No Food and/or Beverages except for medical or infant needs
  • Water Bottles (32-ounce size or less, no glass) are permitted provided they are empty upon arrival
  • No Glass and/or Coolers except for medical or infant needs
    • NOTE: Aerosol Cans, Spray Bottles, and/or Personal-care items (3.4 ounces or less) are permitted.
  • No Pets or Emotional Support Animals (only trained service dogs as defined by the ADA)
  • No Lounge Chairs and/or Oversized Chairs
  • No Ladders and/or Step Stools or other similar items
  • No Bicycles, Segways, Scooters, or other personal transportation devices allowed inside Championship admission gates (other than used for individuals with mobility disabilities)
  • No other items or actions deemed unlawful, dangerous or disruptive by the USGA and/or Championship Security or Safety Personnel, in their sole discretion

The USGA reserves the right to amend the List of Prohibited Items at any time to provide a safe and secure championship.


Service dogs are welcome. Emotional support animals and pets are not permitted on the championship grounds. For complete terms and conditions, visit the USGA Ticket & Credential License Agreement.

Download the official USGA App, built by Deloitte, on iOS and Android, for live scoring and to track your favorite players, find amenities and seating using an interactive map with step-by-step navigation, and receive exclusive on-site alerts throughout the championship. Be sure to also visit ussenioropen.com, the official website of the 46th U.S. Senior Open Championship, for complete fan information, live streaming, highlights and more as the action unfolds at Scioto Country Club.

Average early July temperatures around Columbus range from highs of 85°F to lows of 62°F. Hats, cool clothing and sunscreen are recommended on bright, sunny days.

Meteorology staff will be onsite monitoring weather conditions. The USGA will communicate important safety information to fans through special alerts that will appear on all leader boards, thru boards and video boards. Please read all alerts and follow safety instructions. In general, an alert shown in BLUE or YELLOW is being posted for general awareness while ORANGE indicates that fans should be prepared to take action. An Alert shown in RED poses an imminent threat and will require immediate action as stated in the Alert.

Weather Advisory (BLUE): A Weather Advisory will be posted to alert fans of specific weather conditions that will require certain precautions.

Weather Watch (YELLOW): A Weather Watch may be posted to alert fans that dangerous weather is possible.

Weather Warning (ORANGE): A Weather Warning may be posted to alert fans that dangerous weather is approaching and they should be prepared to take shelter or return to their vehicles.

Weather Warning (RED): A Weather Warning may be posted to alert fans that dangerous weather is imminent, and they should take immediate action to ensure their safety, including exiting all grandstands.

A suspension of play for dangerous conditions will be indicated by one prolonged air-horn blast. In the event of a suspension of play, grandstands will be cleared immediately. If lightning is detected, please avoid open areas, hilltops, high places, isolated trees, golf carts and wire fences, and seek shelter immediately. Play will resume as soon as conditions allow.

 

Tickets & Admission

Juniors aged 17 and under can request a complimentary Gallery ticket for any day of the event at the Ticket Office with a ticketed or credentialed adult. Maximum of four (4) Junior tickets of any age per ticketed or credentialed adult.

Junior tickets cannot be obtained in advance. They can be obtained at any ticket resolution area located at the main gates.

Note: Junior tickets do not provide access into any premium spaces or hospitality areas as specific tickets are required for access into each of those venues. Discounted Junior premium tickets for Trophy Club can be purchased onsite for $25 per junior on Wednesday and $50 per junior, per day Thursday-Sunday.

The military policy is extended to active and retired military members only. For the U.S. Senior Open, active, and retired military members can request a complimentary Gallery ticket +1 guest ticket via an online registration process on GovX. All military tickets must be reserved in advance through GovX. Tickets are non-transferable and are for the policy holder only. Access mandatory registration process and view additional ticket information.

Note: Military cannot apply this discount to use to get into upgraded hospitality experiences

We encourage all fans to add their SeatGeek tickets to their Apple or Google Wallet before arriving on-site. Taking a few moments to add your tickets in advance will help ensure a smooth and seamless entry into the championship.

All paid and complimentary tickets for 2026 USGA Championships will be delivered to recipients digitally via SeatGeek and will be accessible in the USGA App. Mobile tickets will be delivered to the SeatGeek account utilized when purchasing or accepting transferred tickets. Fans will not be permitted to enter the gates without a mobile ticket or the proper championship credential. Screenshots or printed materials do not permit entry. Eligible mobile tickets can be transferred in advance utilizing the USGA App. Fans can view transfer instructions here.

We encourage all fans to add their SeatGeek tickets to their Apple or Google Wallet before arriving on-site. Taking a few moments to add your tickets in advance will help ensure a smooth and seamless entry into the championship.

 

All times are Eastern Daylight Time and are subject to change. Starting times will be posted once available at ussenioropen.com and on the USGA App.

 

Practice Rounds

Players will have the option of starting practice rounds on the first or 10th tee. Players electing to play a full round generally begin between 7:00 a.m. and 3 p.m. It is typical for players to be on the golf course or practice areas until at least 7 p.m.

 

  • Wednesday, July 1 (Gates open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

 

Championship Rounds 1 & 2

Play is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. from the first tee and at 7:05 a.m. from the 10th tee. The last groups are scheduled to begin play at 2:36 p.m. from the first tee and 2:41 p.m. from the 10th tee.

 

  • Thursday, July 2 (Gates open 6:30 a.m. to conclusion of play)
  • Friday, July 3 (Gates open 6:30 a.m. to conclusion of play)

 

Championship Rounds 3 & 4

The first starting time will be determined by the number of players who make the cut at the conclusion of the second round (60 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 60th place). Generally, the first pairing begins play from the first tee between 8-9 a.m.; the last pairing for Saturday will start from the first tee at approximately 12:45 p.m.; the last pairing for Sunday will start from the first tee at approximately 1:00 p.m.

 

  • Saturday, July 4 (Gates open 6:30 a.m. to conclusion of play)
  • Sunday, July 5 (Gates open 6:30 a.m. to conclusion of play)

 

Playoff

If there is a tie for the low score after 72 holes, a two-hole aggregate playoff will begin immediately following play. If the playoff results in a tie after two holes, the tied players will immediately continue the playoff hole-by-hole (sudden-death format) until the champion is determined.

For event reentry purposes, if you are an attendee who enters the event using a digital ticket, you may not reenter unless you register for EXPRESS RE-ENTRY prior to exiting the event. If you are an attendee who enters using a digital ticket, you are free to withhold consent to EXPRESS RE-ENTRY for reentry purposes; however, you will not be able to reenter the event once you exit. If you are an attendee who enters the event using credentials, you may reenter upon exiting the event without use of EXPRESS RE-ENTRY.

Conduct Policies 

The USGA asks that you respect each player’s complete focus on preparing for and playing in the championship. Autographs should only be obtained at designated Autograph Zones or at the completion of the player’s round. On-course autographs are not permitted at any time. This includes, but is not limited to, tees, fairways, greens and practice areas during practice and championship rounds.

To ensure a positive experience for all fans and players, the fan code of conduct will be enforced at all times. Fans will be subject to expulsion and loss of ticket privileges for unruly, disruptive, unsafe, or illegal behavior, including:

  • Making rude, vulgar, or other inappropriate comments or gestures.
  • Verbal or physical harassment of players, volunteers, officials, or fans.
  • Yelling and/or distracting a player or any disruption of play or fan environment.
  • Inappropriate use of a mobile device.
  • Failing to stay behind gallery rope lines.
  • Refusal to follow the instructions of championship officials, volunteers, security personnel or posted signage.

If you observe any unruly or suspicious activity, please contact U.S Senior Open Security at 614-583-5410

The USGA encourages fans to capture their favorite moments at our championships and stay connected with family and friends while onsite. We have set guidelines on mobile device usage to ensure our players and other fans are not distracted or disrupted during the championship.

  • Fans may carry mobile devices smaller than 7” in length and/or height.
  • Device volume controls must be set to “silent” or “vibrate” and flash photography must be disabled.
  • Phone calls should be limited to areas away from play and not in any area that may disrupt play, including grandstands.
  • Photography, video, and audio recording are permitted throughout the course, but content must not be used for commercial purposes.
  • Live streaming or shot-by-shot coverage of any player (with or without video) is not permitted at any time throughout championship week.
  • All posted signage and instructions from championship staff and volunteers must be observed.

Conducting a global championship for the best golfers in the world is our primary focus. Violation of any of the above policies may result in immediate expulsion and loss of ticket privileges for the remainder of the championship.

If you observe the following guidelines, your experience at the U.S. Senior Open Championship will be a more enjoyable one:

  • Please stay behind gallery ropes and always follow directions of championship marshals.
  • Only cross fairways at designated crosswalk areas.
  • Be considerate of others and kneel or sit if you are in the front row of the gallery.
  • Stay quiet and stand still when players are about to hit or when instructed by marshals.
  • All mobile device volume controls must be set to silent or vibrate at all times.
  • To always ensure your safety, walk carefully and never run.
  • The U.S. Senior Open Championship involves substantial walking on grass hills, dirt paths and other uneven surfaces. Please wear appropriate footwear such as sneakers or golf shoes.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • To provide protection from the sun, remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Please note that sunscreen in bottles and tubes 3.4 ounces or less are permitted.

If you observe any unruly or suspicious activity, please contact U.S. Senior Open Security at 614-583-5410

Broadcast Coverage

Thursday

Golf Channel: 11am - 2pm EST

Peacock/NBCSN: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm EST

Friday

Golf Channel: 11am - 2pm EST

Peacock/NBCSN: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm EST

Saturday

Peacock: 12 pm - 2 pm EST

NBC: 2 pm - 5 pm EST

Sunday

Peacock: 1 pm - 3 pm EST

NBC: 6 pm - 6 pm EST

Health & Wellness

The USGA is committed to providing a positive and user-friendly experience for all fans with disabilities and is pleased to provide the following services:

  • Accessible parking spaces for all vehicles having appropriate HD/DP license plates or placards will be reserved at all parking locations.
  • The Disability Services Committee will be onsite to assist fans with disabilities with multi-person golf carts and wheelchair accessible transportation to and from Disability Services Headquarters and specific grandstand and facility locations throughout the golf course via a fixed transportation route with predetermined stops.
  • A limited number of motorized scooters for fans with disabilities will be available at the Mobility Scooter Tent located next to the Merchandise Pavilion in Fan Central players’ left of 15 fairway, on a first-come, first-served basis, compliments of the USGA and Pride Mobility.
  • Telecommunications Devices for the hearing impaired will be available at Disability Services Headquarters located next to Gate 4 in Fan Central.
  • Accessible restrooms will be available at all portable restroom locations throughout the championship grounds.

First-Aid Stations presented by OSU Wexner will be located in Fan Central left of Hole 15, and left of Hole 9. Both First-Aid stations will be staffed with physicians and other licensed medical practitioners OSU Wexner. Complimentary water will be provided at all First-Aid Stations and designated hydration stations will be located throughout the golf course. If a medical emergency arises, please notify a volunteer, security personnel, USGA official, or call 911.

Hydration Stations will be located in Fan Central left of Hole 15, 16 Green, & 9 Green. These stations are all complimentary.

Nursing Mothers who prefer a more private location may use a private room within a First-Aid Station. First-Aid Stations are located in Fan Central left of Hole 15, and left of Hole 9. Nursing mothers are permitted to bring necessary equipment to the championship. Please reference the Prohibited Items list to learn more about permissible and non-permissible items.

Located next to Gate 4 in Fan Central, the Lost & Found and the Missing Persons facility is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Any fan finding a lost item on the grounds should report it to the nearest security personnel, volunteer, or USGA official who can deliver the item to Lost & Found. If you encounter a missing child or person, please notify U.S. Senior Open Security via phone at 614-583-5410

Fans are encouraged to bring their own sun protection and sunscreen. Please note, sunscreen bottles must adhere to the prohibited items policy and as follows: no glass and/or coolers except for medical or infant needs (aerosol cans, spray bottles, and/or personal-care items (3.4 ounces or less) are permitted). Sunscreen will also be available for purchase in the Merchandise Pavilion.

Onsite Experiences

Full service Concessions locations will be located at Fan Central left of 15 Fairway 17/10 Greens & Hole 9 Green. Limited menu concession locations will be located at 15 Green and 16 Green. Drink Stands will be located at Fan Central, 6 Green, 8 Fairway and 18 Green.

All facilities at Scioto Country Club are cashless. Credit card and debit card are the only accepted methods of payment at concession stands, merchandise pavilions, and shipping locations.

The Merchandise Pavilion, covering 5,400 square feet, is located in Fan Central players’ left of 15 fairway. It includes U.S. Senior Open logoed items from 50 different brands including, Peter Millar, the Official Outfitter of the U.S. Senior Open and USGA. Peter Millar has designed custom apparel for the U.S. Senior Open merchandise offering and for over 900 volunteers. Shop one-of-a-kind apparel designs and accessories exclusive to this year’s championship.

 

U.S. Senior Open Championship Week
July 1 - 5 (Wednesday through Sunday) 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Merchandise Pavilion is located on the Championship grounds. You must have a ticket or credential to gain entry during the championship.