The BMW Championship is one of the marquee events in the FedEx Cup Playoffs on the PGA Tour schedule. Unlike most tournaments that return to the same venue year after year, the location of the BMW Championship rotates among various elite courses across the United States. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the past, present, and future sites selected to host this prestigious event.
Past Locations of the BMW Championship
The 2023 BMW Championship took place at the famed Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois. This classic course proved a formidable test, with its narrow fairways, challenging greens, and several pivotal holes that determined the outcome.
Key Holes at Olympia Fields
- Hole 8: A massive 251-yard par-3, playing uphill and typically into the wind. Hitting the green is an accomplishment.
- Hole 15: A dogleg-right 606-yard par-5. The tee shot must avoid trees on the right for a chance to reach in two.
- Hole 18: The 510-yard closing par-4 demands a draw off the tee. A pond guards the right side of the green.
Olympia Fields also hosted the 2020 BMW Championship in the pandemic-altered season. Prior to that, the event visited venues like Cherry Hills in Denver, Crooked Stick in Indianapolis, and Bellerive in St. Louis in recent years.
2024 BMW Championship Location: Castle Pines Golf Club
For 2024, the BMW Championship returns to the Denver area when Castle Pines Golf Club hosts the event from August 20-25. This Jack Nicklaus-designed course last welcomed the PGA Tour for The International event in 2006 before that tournament’s demise.
Castle Pines represents a classic, tree-lined, and demanding test of golf ideally suited for showcasing the talent of the PGA Tour’s best players. The Denver market has enthusiastically supported professional golf, making Castle Pines an obvious candidate to host again after nearly two decades.
Future BMW Championship Sites
While the 2025 venue is still to be announced, the PGA Tour has locked in the following future locations:
- 2026: Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, Missouri
- 2027: Liberty National Golf Club, Jersey City, New Jersey
Bellerive’s status as a major championship venue (2018 PGA) makes it a natural fit, while Liberty National offers iconic views of the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty.
How Host Courses Are Selected
Cities and elite courses go through an extensive bidding process to land a PGA Tour event like the BMW Championship. Facilities must meet strict criteria, including:
- A championship-caliber design capable of testing the world’s best
- Elite amenities and infrastructure to host massive crowds
- Logistics and transportation plans to move thousands seamlessly
- Economic impact and incentives for the local community
Hosting a PGA Tour playoff event generates immense revenue for the area through hotel bookings, restaurant sales, media coverage, and more. As a result, competition is fierce among courses vying for these prestigious events.
Attending the BMW Championship
For fans interested in experiencing the BMW Championship in person, a range of ticket options are available:
- Grounds Tickets: From $30-110, allowing access to the course with public seating and concessions.
- Trophy Club: $50-210 for an upgraded clubhouse view of two greens.
- The Summit: $185-385 for prime views of the 18th hole with food/beverage included.
- Centennial Club: $1350 for an all-inclusive experience on the 12th green.
In addition to following the action, guests can enjoy interactive fan activations, closed-circuit TV views, and abundant dining options within the corporate hospitality venues.
The Bottom Lines
As one of the PGA Tour’s most celebrated playoff events, the BMW Championship annually graces a new championship venue worthy of hosting the world’s best golfers. From Olympia Fields to Castle Pines in 2024, Bellerive in 2026, and beyond, golf fans can look forward to this event bringing drama and elite competition to a premium course near them.
Whether you attend in person or watch the coverage on TV, witnessing the BMW Championship is a treat for any golf enthusiast. The rotating locations ensure a new test each year as players battle for a coveted spot at the TOUR Championship finale.
