The Ryder Cup has drawn a huge crowd, with upwards of 50,000 spectators expected every day of the weekend's action from the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, as the tournament visits Italy for the first time.
Those in attendance on Friday morning made an electric atmosphere on the outskirts of Rome. Team Europe swept the opening foursomes session 4-0 for the first time in Ryder Cup history, and the energy of the crowd was no doubt a major factor in the buoyant mood of the European players early on.
The thousands of fans who have flocked to Rome will have paid a decent chunk of money to make their way to the Italian capital - but the prices on the ground do not seem much prettier.
Spectators have flocked to social media to share some of the outrageous prices at the concession stands from the Ryder Cup, with fans expected to pay upwards of €15 for food, and drinks prices arguably even worse.
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Ryder Cup price tags have fans' eyes watering
Friday morning brought great excitement for the start of the Ryder Cup - but for those in attendance in Rome, many may have regretted their decision not to bring a packed lunch when they arrived at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
Twitter users shared photos of the price boards at the Ryder Cup concession stands, with pizza at one stand costing upwards of €20, and approaching €30 if patrons wanted to purchase a beer with their food.
#RyderCup concession prices @darrenrovell pic.twitter.com/aXhytPx15V
— Mike C (@itixx) September 29, 2023
Another cocktail stand had listed astonishingly high prices, with all drinks available for a blanket €25.
Cocktail prices at the Ryder Cup 😳
I wonder if this buys you a bottle or just a measure. pic.twitter.com/EaGRWa8M75— @Sea_and_Sand0 (@SeaandSand0) September 29, 2023
But there was worse to come.
If price increases in Ireland for a 99 have been egregious in recent years, then they are nothing compared to the €7 being charged for a plain 99 at the Ryder Cup this year.
Lads ! 99 for EUR 7 !! Shocking prices @rydercup #TeamEurope . Get your ice cream business ready for #Adare2027 pic.twitter.com/c5npnfMl3I
— Pamela Kearney (Pamela not Pam) (@pmskauf) September 29, 2023
The advertising board says that the 99 comes with just one flake - for the price being charged, you would expect a multipack of them.
Another user on Twitter would claim that they had spent €24 on a burger.
Earlier in the week, slightly lower prices had been reported from Rome, with the Express suggesting that burgers would cost only €19.90, with cocktails coming in at €18.
This is not the first time a major golf tournament has been criticised for the prices of concessions for fans. Just last year, Justin Thomas joined the chorus condemning the price of beer at the PGA Championship, with fans expected to fork out €19 at Tulsa, Oklahoma.
It's a few years away yet, but Irish golf fans might want to think about having a few pre-made ham sandwiches ready to go when the Ryder Cup visits Adare Manor in 2027.
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