It’s a little more than two weeks from The Players Championship and the demand for tickets and parking are spiking in the first year the tournament will be played under full capacity since 2019.
In other words, move fast or risk getting left out of the Jacksonville area’s biggest week-long party.
Players officials say that parking passes for the second and third rounds of The Players (March 11 and 12), which are historically the two busiest days, are coming close to being sold out and likely will be gone well before tournament week opens on March 8.
If fans can’t get a parking pass (which is purchased separately from Players tickets) they will have to use rideshare options or take advantage of several downtown shuttles, which will operate from the Hyatt Regency, the Jacksonville River City Downtown Hotel and the Southbank Hotel at Jacksonville Riverwalk.
All shuttles are climate-controlled motor-coach-style buses and drop fans off right at the main entrance of the tournament. They are available whether a fan is a guest of the hotels or not.
Shuttle passes are $20 plus applicable taxes and fees and are non-refundable once purchased. Shuttles will operate Thursday through Sunday. Shuttle passengers must choose their pickup time from the hotel and will be able to return downtown at any of the scheduled return times.
Shuttles will leave each day between 7 a.m.-12:45 p.m. and return between 1-8 p.m.
The return of Military Appreciation Day on March 8, with the Kelsea Ballerini concert that will cap the day, has resulted in a sell-out of the free tickets made available to active duty and retired military personnel on that day. Those eligible can also get one more ticket to a competitive round day but those supplies are running out.
Information on tickets and parking can be obtained by visiting theplayers.com.
Early shopping
The Players Championship FanShop will once again open early for those wanting a head start in browsing and purchasing Players-themed merchandise, and having a ticket to the tournament isn’t required.
The FanShop, expanded to more than 33,000 square feet and the anchor of The Players Welcome Experience, will open March 4-6. Customers can park free in The Players public lot off Country Road 210.
The hours are 12-5 p.m. on March 4 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 6-7.
The hours of the FanShop during the week of the tournament (March 8-13) will coincide with gate openings and closings. Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. on March 8-9, 6:45 a.m. March 10-11 and 7:30 p.m. March 12-13.
The Welcome Experience also will see a return of the 17th hole Challenge to The Players. Fans can take two free shots at the replica of the Island Green, or pay a $5 donation to the First Tee — North Florida for additional chances, with daily closest to the pin contests.
The Welcome Experience also will include the Family Care Suite presented by Wolfson Children’s Hospital, a comfort station for mothers and fathers to care for their babies as needed during tournament week. The venue is open to all ticket holders and will also be providing diapers free of charge.