ESPN Bet confirmed as PGA Championship's first-ever betting partner
Operator will also have an onsite presence at the Kentucky-based competition with perks available for ESPN Bet patrons
ESPN Bet has been confirmed as the “official sports betting partner” of the upcoming PGA Championship.
The deal between ESPN Bet and the PGA of America sees the PGA Championship become the first men’s major golf tournament to partner with a betting company.
The PGA of America is an entirely separate organization from the PGA and has been since 1968. The PGA tour is exclusively professionals, while the PGA of America represent nearly 28,000 teaching professionals at 10,000 golf facilities across the US.
The partnership with the PENN Entertainment brand will run until the 2026 edition of the competition.
This year’s tournament will take place at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky between May 16 and May 19.
As part of the partnership, this year’s tournament will feature an ESPN Bet members lounge, located adjacent to the putting green on the 13th hole.
The lounge, which is only available to ESPN Bet account holders, will boast a variety of amenities including beverages, covered seating, and even a virtual reality simulator of the 13th hole, as well as ESPN Bet offers.
Alongside the onsite features, ESPN Bet will be integrated into ESPN’s broadcast coverage of the event.
The operator will offer special PGA Championship betting offers before and throughout the competition.
The partnership will also see ESPN Bet and the PGA of America work together on collaborative content for the latter’s digital media platforms.
Given the deal is set to run until 2026, the next two tournaments will be held in states that have legalised sports betting.
Next year’s competition will take place at North Carolina’s Quail Hollow Golf Club, before 2026 sees the Championship hosted by Pennsylvania’s Aronimink Golf Club. ESPN Bet is live in both states already.
Jason Birney, VP of operations for PENN Interactive, talked up the opportunity this deal provides ESPN Bet.
He said: “We’re pleased to be the PGA of America’s first ever gaming partner and align ESPN Bet with this prestigious men’s golf major.
“We look forward to accessing highly engaging touchpoints to bring ESPN Bet onto the course and into the PGA Championship broadcast on ESPN.
“With the PGA Championship set to take place in states where ESPN Bet operates through 2026, this partnership provides us with a great opportunity to interact with and engage golf fans.”
PGA of America chief commercial officer, Jeff Price, added: “We are incredibly proud to partner with PENN Entertainment and immerse ESPN Bet into the spectator experience throughout the PGA Championship.
“The added onsite presence of ESPN Bet as well as broadcast and content offerings will provide spectators with exciting new ways to enjoy and engage with all of the action during the PGA Championship.”