The Masters 2026
Golf's most exclusive major. The green jacket. Amen Corner. Azaleas in bloom across the most perfectly manicured course on earth.
Augusta National Golf Club hosts the world's most prestigious golf tournament every April — and the atmosphere inside those gates is unlike anything else in sport. This is your complete guide to attending, watching, or experiencing Masters week 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.
Tournament Schedule
The Masters spans a full week at Augusta National — from practice rounds that offer unparalleled course access to the final Sunday round that crowns one of sport's most celebrated champions.
Fan-favourite days — patrons can roam the full course, watch players up close, and experience Augusta National in a relaxed atmosphere. Best value and access of the entire week.
The tournament begins. 18-hole stroke play rounds. Tee times from approximately 8am. The cut falls after the second round — the top 50 players and ties advance.
Saturday at Augusta: "Moving Day" when leaderboard positions shift dramatically. Tickets are among the most sought-after of the week as Sunday contenders emerge.
The most iconic Sunday in golf. The champion receives the green jacket from the previous year's winner at Butler Cabin — one of sport's most enduring ceremonies.
The Augusta National Experience
There is no sporting event quite like The Masters. Augusta National enforces a culture of reverence that makes it unique among major sporting venues worldwide.
What Makes It Unique
- —No corporate logos anywhere on the course or signage — Augusta National accepts no title sponsorship
- —Food is intentionally cheap: the famous pimento cheese sandwich is $1.50, egg salad $1.50, Masters Club $3.00
- —All gates charge the same ticket price — no premium view areas, no tiered access
- —All ticket holders are called "Patrons" — never fans, never spectators. Augusta's deliberate choice of language
- —Since 2023, mobile phones are permitted for still photography only. Video recording remains prohibited
The Course
- Holes
- 18
- Yardage
- 7,545 yards
- Par
- 72
- Most famous stretch
- Amen Corner (11–12–13)
- Dress code
- Smart casual, no offensive attire
The most famous stretch of holes in professional golf. The 12th at Augusta — Golden Bell, a par-3 over Rae's Creek — is where Masters championships are won and lost. The swirling wind is notoriously unpredictable. Positioned at Amen Corner to watch back-nine drama unfold is considered the finest spectating spot in all of sport.
Getting Masters 2026 Tickets
The hardest ticket in golf. The Masters annual badge lottery has been closed to new applicants since 2012 — the only route for most fans is the secondary market.
Augusta National's patron badge lottery has been closed to new applicants since 2012. Existing badge holders pass them down through families. This is not a viable route for new attendees.
Slightly more available than tournament badges but still extremely scarce. Practice rounds (Mon–Wed) are fan-favourites — full course access, players visible up close, relaxed atmosphere. Secondary market: $500–$1,500.
Thursday–Sunday tournament rounds. Demand vastly exceeds supply. Secondary market prices: $2,000–$8,000+ per day, with Sunday Final Round commanding the highest premium.
Experience Masters week without a badge — Augusta's bars screen every hole live, Washington Road is a festival, and the atmosphere outside the gates is genuinely extraordinary. A popular and affordable option.
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Getting to Augusta National
Augusta sits in east-central Georgia, accessible via three airports. Augusta Regional is the most convenient; Atlanta Hartsfield serves international travellers.
Closest airport — approximately 10 minutes from Augusta National. Direct services from Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington DC. Limited capacity so book early; extra flights operate during Masters week.
Flights to AGS →2 hours 30 minutes drive from Augusta. The world's busiest airport — best for international visitors with the widest global connectivity. Rent a car in Atlanta and drive to Augusta.
Flights to ATL →1 hour drive from Columbia, South Carolina. Good for East Coast US visitors. Less congested than ATL during Masters week. Pairs well with staying in Aiken, SC.
Columbia, South CarolinaAugusta City Guide
Beyond the gates of Augusta National, Masters week transforms the whole city — and the wider American South offers some of the continent's most rewarding travel experiences.
Augusta National — Washington Road
Even without a badge, Masters week on Washington Road outside Augusta National is extraordinary. The entire street becomes a festival — merchandise tents, food trucks, patrons everywhere. The atmosphere outside the gates is unlike anything else in American sports.
Augusta Riverwalk
The Savannah River waterfront is Augusta's most scenic area. A pleasant evening walk after a day on the course (or watching in a bar). Good restaurants and a peaceful counterpoint to the Masters week buzz.
Washington Road Festival Atmosphere
Masters week transforms Washington Road into an unofficial festival. Bars show every hole live on giant screens, golf merchandise is sold everywhere, and the street is filled with patrons and fans from around the world. You don't need a badge to experience this.
Savannah Day Trip (2h30 south)
One of America's most beautiful cities — Spanish moss hanging from ancient oaks, antebellum squares, incredible Southern food, and a genuinely romantic historic district. Pair your Masters trip with a Savannah night for one of the great American South road trips.
The Pimento Cheese Sandwich
The Masters' most famous food item — $1.50 inside Augusta National. During Masters week, local shops and delis across Augusta serve their own versions. A culinary pilgrimage for any Masters visitor.
Where to Stay
Augusta (within 30 min)
Most price-gouged areaClosest to Augusta National — essential for early gates and post-round atmosphere on Washington Road. Sells out from October 2025 onwards. Prices run 8–15x their normal rate during Masters week.
Aiken, SC (30 min east)
Small historic town across the South Carolina border. Significantly less price inflation than Augusta itself. A popular choice for savvy visitors who want proximity without the full Augusta premium.
Columbia, SC (75 min)
South Carolina's state capital. Major city with large hotel inventory — much better availability and more reasonable prices than Augusta. Near Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Good restaurant and bar scene.
Atlanta (2h30)
Use Atlanta as your base if flying into ATL. World-class city accommodation, incredible dining, and Hartsfield-Jackson for easy international connections. Drive in for day trips to Augusta.
Community
Masters Week Tips
Augusta National actively prosecutes counterfeit ticket sales. Avoid individuals outside gates and unverified online sellers. Stick to established secondary market platforms.
Monday–Wednesday practice rounds offer unparalleled access at lower ticket prices. Position yourself at the famous 12th hole, 13th hole, and 16th green for the best watching spots on the course.
The best viewing positions at Amen Corner and the 18th green fill up fast. Arrive before 9am to secure a prime spot for the afternoon action. Patrons who queue from dawn often get the most memorable experience.
Augusta National prohibits outside food and beverages. This is not a hardship — the food inside is famously excellent and extraordinarily cheap. The pimento cheese sandwich at $1.50 is the Masters institution.
The American South in April is at its most beautiful. Savannah (2h30 south) and Charleston (3h east) are two of the continent's finest cities. Extend your Masters trip into a proper Southern road trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is The Masters 2026?
The Masters 2026 takes place 6–12 April 2026 at Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, USA. Practice rounds are Monday–Wednesday (6–8 April); the tournament proper runs Thursday–Sunday (9–12 April), with the green jacket ceremony on Sunday 12 April.
How do I get Masters 2026 tickets?
The Masters annual badge lottery has been closed to new applicants since 2012. Practice round tickets are slightly more available but still extremely scarce. The secondary market is the main route for most fans — practice round tickets typically run $500–$1,500, while tournament round badges range from $2,000 to $8,000 or more. Buy only from authorized resellers as Augusta National actively prosecutes counterfeit ticket sales. Alternatively, experiencing Masters week in Augusta's bars and surroundings is a popular and affordable option.
What airport is closest to Augusta National?
Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is the closest airport to Augusta National Golf Club — approximately 10 minutes by car. It receives direct flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington DC during Masters week. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes by car and offers far greater international connectivity. Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in South Carolina is about 1 hour away and is a good option for East Coast visitors.
What is the atmosphere like at The Masters?
The Masters has a uniquely serene atmosphere unlike any other sporting event in the world. Augusta National enforces strict rules: patrons (never "fans" or "spectators") walk pristine grounds with no corporate signage visible. Food is famously inexpensive — the iconic pimento cheese sandwich costs $1.50. Since 2023, mobile phones are permitted for still photography only (no video). The azaleas are typically in full bloom in April, making the course visually spectacular. Amen Corner — holes 11, 12, and 13 — is the most famous and dramatic stretch in professional golf.
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